[sti.fle] n [ME] (14c): the joint next above the hock in the hind leg of a quadruped (as a horse or dog) corresponding to the human knee--see horse illustration
[2]stifle vb sti.fled ; sti.fling [alter. of ME stuflen] vt (1513) 1 a: to kill by depriving of oxygen: suffocate b (1): smother (2): muffle
2. a: to cut off (as the voice or breath) b: to withhold from circulation or expression: repress "~ed our anger" c: deter, discourage ~ vi: to become suffocated by or as if by lack of oxygen: smother -- sti.fler n -- sti.fling.ly adv