I. ˈmə-zəl noun
Etymology: Middle English mosel , from Middle French musel , from Old French * mus mouth of an animal, from Medieval Latin musus
Date: 15th century
1. : the projecting jaws and nose of an animal : snout
2.
a. : a fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting
b. : something (as censorship) that restrains normal expression
3. : the open end of an implement ; especially : the discharging end of a weapon
[
muzzle 2a
]
II. transitive verb
( muz·zled ; muz·zling ˈməz-liŋ, ˈmə-zə-)
Date: 15th century
1. : to fit with a muzzle
2.
a. : gag
muzzled the regime's critics
b. : restrain , restrict
the Pentagon's efforts to muzzle press access — Joe Strupp
the low prices muzzled competition
• muz·zler -lər noun