SUFFOCATE

verb (-cated; -cating) Etymology: Middle English, from Latin suffocatus, past participle of suffocare to choke, stifle, from sub- + fauces throat Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. a. to stop the respiration of (as by strangling or asphyxiation), to deprive of oxygen, to make uncomfortable by want of fresh air, to impede or stop the development of, intransitive verb to become ~d:, a. to die from being unable to breathe, to die from lack of oxygen, to be uncomfortable through lack of fresh air, to become checked in development, suffocation noun suffocative adjective