n. & v.
n. 1 a piece of cloth etc. thrust into or held over the mouth to prevent speaking or crying out, or to hold it open in surgery. 2 a joke or comic scene in a play, film, etc., or as part of a comedian's act. 3 an actor's interpolation in a dramatic dialogue. 4 a thing or circumstance restricting free speech. 5 a a joke or hoax. b a humorous action or situation. 6 an imposture or deception. 7 Parl. a closure or guillotine.
v. (gagged, gagging) 1 tr. apply a gag to. 2 tr. silence; deprive of free speech. 3 tr. apply a gag-bit to (a horse). 4 a intr. choke or retch. b tr. cause to do this. 5 intr. Theatr. make gags. gag-bit a specially powerful bit for horse-breaking. gag man a deviser or performer of theatrical gags.
[ ME, orig. as verb: orig. uncert. ]