Suffocate

v. t. [imp. & p. p. SUFFOCATED; p. pr. & vb. n. SUFFOCATING.] [Lat. suffocare, suffocatum, from sub, under, and faux, faucis, pl. fauces, the throat; It. suffocare, Pg. suffocar, Sp. suffocar, Pr. suffocar, Fr. suffoquer.

1Sense 1. To choke or kill by stopping respiration; to stifle; to smother.

Let not hemp his windpipe suffocate. Shak.

2Sense 2. To destroy; to extinguish; as, to suffocate fire or live coals.

v. i. To become choked, stifled, or smothered.

A swelling discontent is apt to suffocate and strangle without passage. Collier.