\Sti"fle\, n. [From {Stiff}.] (Far.)
The joint next above the hock, and near the flank, in the
hind leg of the horse and allied animals; the joint
corresponding to the knee in man; -- called also {stifle
joint}. See Illust. under {Horse}.
{Stifle bone}, a small bone at the stifle joint; the patella,
   or kneepan.

\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.

\Sti"fle\, v. i.
To die by reason of obstruction of the breath, or because
some noxious substance prevents respiration.
      You shall stifle in your own report.     --Shak.