stifle

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

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

smother or suppress; "Stifle your curiosity"

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

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