High resolution absorption lineshape measurements of the near-infrared quadrupole absorption (2-0 vibration band, Q(1) line) transition of molecular hydrogen near 1238 nm have been recorded using off-axis integrated cavity output spectroscopy. These measurements were used to determine the integrated absorption strength, pressure shift, and the effects of pressure narrowing (Dicke narrowing) of this transition over a range of pressures (13-900 Torr) of pure hydrogen. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.