/ ˈstræŋgl; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
to kill sb by squeezing or pressing on their throat and neck :
to strangle sb to death
He strangled her with her own scarf.
2.
to prevent sth from growing or developing :
The current monetary policy is strangling the economy.
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : shortening of Old French estrangler , from Latin strangulare , from Greek strangalan , from strangalē halter, related to strangos twisted.