Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Stifle \Sti"fle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Stifled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Stifling}.] [Freq. of OE. stif stiff; cf. Icel. st[=i]fla to
   dam up.]
   1. To stop the breath of by crowding something into the
      windpipe, or introducing an irrespirable substance into
      the lungs; to choke; to suffocate; to cause the death of
      by such means; as, to stifle one with smoke or dust.

            Stifled with kisses, a sweet death he dies.
                                                  --Dryden.

            I took my leave, being half stifled with the
            closeness of the room.                --Swift.

   2. To stop; to extinguish; to deaden; to quench; as, to
      stifle the breath; to stifle a fire or flame.

            Bodies . . . stifle in themselves the rays which
            they do not reflect or transmit.      --Sir I.
                                                  Newton.

   3. To suppress the manifestation or report of; to smother; to
      conceal from public knowledge; as, to stifle a story; to
      stifle passion.

            I desire only to have things fairly represented as
            they really are; no evidence smothered or stifled.
                                                  --Waterland.

Source : WordNet®

stifling
     adj : characterized by oppressive heat and humidity; "the summer
           was sultry and oppressive"; "the stifling atmosphere";
           "the sulfurous atmosphere preceding a thunderstorm"
           [syn: {sultry}, {sulfurous}, {sulphurous}]
     n : forceful prevention; putting down by power or authority;
         "the suppression of heresy"; "the quelling of the
         rebellion"; "the stifling of all dissent" [syn: {suppression},
          {crushing}, {quelling}]