muffle

Muffle is defined as to wrap or cover for protection, to keep warm or make quiet.

(verb)

An example of muffle is wrapping a citrus tree in a blanket to protect it from frost.
An example of muffle is putting your hand over someone's mouth to keep them quiet.

The definition of a muffle is a kiln or furnace that keeps items put inside protected from direct flames.

(noun)

An example of a muffle is the device a potter would use to fire their clay bowls.

See muffle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb muffled, muffling

to wrap up in a shawl, blanket, cloak, etc. so as to hide, keep warm, or protect
Now Rare to keep (a person) from seeing or speaking by wrapping up the head
to wrap or cover in order to deaden or prevent sound
to deaden (a sound), as by wrapping
to prevent the expression of; stifle

Origin: ME muflen, prob. akin to OFr enmouflé, muffled < moufle, a mitten: see muff

noun

Now Rare a wrap, covering, etc. used for muffling
an oven in which pottery, etc. can be fired without being exposed directly to the flame
the fleshy bare part of the upper lip and nose of certain mammals, as ruminants or rabbits

See muffle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb muf·fled, muf·fling, muf·fles

To wrap up, as in a blanket or shawl, for warmth, protection, or secrecy.
a. To wrap or pad in order to deaden the sound: muffled the drums.
b. To deaden (a sound): The sand muffled the hoofbeats.
To make vague or obscure: “His message was so muffled by learning and ‘artiness’” (Walter Blair).
To repress; stifle.

noun