strangler

transitive verb strangled, strangling

1. to kill by squeezing the throat as with the hands, a noose, etc., so as to shut off the breath; throttle; choke
2. to suffocate or choke in any manner
3. to suppress, stifle, or repress: free speech strangled by tyranny

Origin: ME stranglen < OFr estrangler < L strangulare < Gr strangalan < strangalē, halter < strangos, twisted: see strong

intransitive verb