suf ‧ fo ‧ cate /ˈsʌfəkeɪt/ BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1400-1500 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of suffocare , from sub- ( ⇨ ↑ sub- ) + fauces 'throat' ]
1 . [intransitive and transitive] to die or make someone die by preventing them from breathing:
The animal seizes its prey by the throat and suffocates it to death.
One of the puppies suffocated inside the plastic bag.
2 . be suffocating to feel uncomfortable because there is not enough fresh air:
Can you open a window? I’m suffocating.
3 . [transitive] to prevent a relationship, plan, business etc from developing well or being successful:
Jealousy can suffocate any relationship.
—suffocation /ˌsʌfəˈkeɪʃ ə n/ noun [uncountable]