throttle

Meanings

Noun

• A valve that regulates the supply of fuel-air mixture to an internal combustion engine and thus controls its speed; a similar valve that controls the air supply to an engine.
• The lever or pedal that controls this valve.
• The windpipe or trachea.

Verb

• To control or adjust the speed of (an engine).
• To cut back on the speed of (an engine, person, organization, network connection, etc.).
• To strangle or choke someone.
• To have the throat obstructed so as to be in danger of suffocation; to choke; to suffocate.
• To breathe hard, as when nearly suffocated.
• To utter with breaks and interruption, in the manner of a person half suffocated.

Origin

• From Middle English, diminutive of throte, equivalent to throat + -le. Compare German Drossel ("throttle"). More at throat.
• From Middle English throtlen ("to choke, strangle, suffocate"), from the noun (see above). Compare German erdrosseln ("to strangle, choke, throttle").