choke

a valve that controls the flow of air into the carburetor of a gasoline engine

a coil of low resistance and high inductance used in electrical circuits to pass direct current and attenuate alternating current

breathe with great difficulty, as when experiencing a strong emotion

“She choked with emotion when she spoke about her deceased husband”

cause to retch or choke

struggle for breath; have insufficient oxygen intake

“he swallowed a fishbone and gagged”

constrict (someone's) throat and keep from breathing

reduce the air supply

“choke a carburetor”

pass from physical life and lose all bodily attributes and functions necessary to sustain life

“She died from cancer”

suppress the development, creativity, or imagination of

“His job suffocated him”

become stultified, suppressed, or stifled

“He is suffocating — living at home with his aged parents in the small village”

impair the respiration of or obstruct the air passage of

“The foul air was slowly suffocating the children”

become or cause to become obstructed

“The leaves clog our drains in the Fall”

be too tight; rub or press

“This neckband is choking the cat”

wring the neck of

“The man choked his opponent”

check or slow down the action or effect of

“She choked her anger”

fail to perform adequately due to tension or agitation

“The team should have won hands down but choked, disappointing the coach and the audience”