■ verb
1》 suffocate by covering the nose and mouth.
2》 extinguish (a fire) by covering it.
3》 ( ~ someone/thing in/with ) cover someone or something entirely with.
4》 cause to feel trapped and oppressed.
5》 suppress (a feeling or action).
↘(in sport) stop the motion of (the ball or a shot).
■ noun a mass of something that stifles or obscures.
Origin
ME: from the base of OE smorian 'suffocate'.