stifle

Noun

• joint between the femur and tibia in a quadruped; corresponds to the human knee

Verb

• be asphyxiated; die from lack of oxygen
  • The child suffocated under the pillow
    

• impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of
  • The foul air was slowly suffocating the children
    

• smother or suppress
  • Stifle your curiosity
    

• conceal or hide
  • smother a yawn
    
  • muffle one's anger
    
  • strangle a yawn
    

Related words

• Synonyms: 
  knee , suffocate , asphyxiate , choke , dampen , smother , strangle , muffle , repress
• Antonyms: 
  stimulate , excite