Smother (verb)

1. Suppress or extinguish (a fire) by covering it so as to exclude air.
2. Suffocate or stifle (someone) by preventing them from breathing.
3. Cover or overwhelm so as to conceal or hide.

Origin:

Late middle english: from old english smorian "suffocate, extinguish"; related to german schmoren "to roast, stew".

Examples:

1. Smoke filled the room, smothering the fire.
2. He tried to smother her with a pillow.
3. The shrubs smothered the entrance to the cave.
4. Her voice was smothered by the noise of the crowd.
5. The rumors were smothered by official denials.