from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Throttle \Throt"tle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Throttled}; p. pr. &
vb. n. {Throttling}.]
1. To compress the throat of; to choke; to strangle.
[1913 Webster]
Grant him this, and the Parliament hath no more
freedom than if it sat in his noose, which, when he
pleases to draw together with one twitch of his
negative, shall throttle a whole nation, to the wish
of Caligula, in one neck. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
2. To utter with breaks and interruption, in the manner of a
person half suffocated. [R.]
[1913 Webster]
Throttle their practiced accent in their fears.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. To shut off, or reduce flow of, as steam to an engine.
[1913 Webster]