Stifle (verb)

1. Suppress or crush (a feeling, sound, or movement).
2. Prevent (something) from developing or being expressed fully.

Origin:

Late middle english: from old french estouffer, of germanic origin, related to german ersticken, from an indo-european root shared by stupor.

Examples:

1. She stifled a yawn during the meeting.
2. He stifled his laughter when the clown tripped.
3. The blanket stifled the fire's flames.
4. The government's censorship stifled freedom of expression.
5. The noise of the traffic stifled conversation.