Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Throttle \Throt"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Throttled}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Throttling}.]
   1. To compress the throat of; to choke; to strangle.

            Grant him this, and the Parliament hath no more
            freedom than if it sat in his noose, which, when he
            pleases to draw together with one twitch of his
            negative, shall throttle a whole nation, to the wish
            of Caligula, in one neck.             --Milton.

   2. To utter with breaks and interruption, in the manner of a
      person half suffocated. [R.]

            Throttle their practiced accent in their fears.
                                                  --Shak.

   3. To shut off, or reduce flow of, as steam to an engine.