muffle
UK: ˈmʌf(ə)l | US: ˈmʌf(ə)l
vt. to wrap or cover for warmth or protection
vt. to deaden or soften the sound of
n. a covering used to muffle sound or retain heat
The word "muffle" traces back to the Old French moufle (mitten, thick glove), derived from Medieval Latin muffula (a type of glove). The root muff originally referred to a thick covering for the hands, later extending to general wrapping or sound-dampening. The suffix -le (a frequentative or verb-forming suffix in English) was added to create the action of covering or silencing. The evolution reflects a shift from physical wrapping (e.g., muffled hands) to abstract dampening (e.g., muffled sounds).
She used a scarf to muffle her face from the cold wind.
The thick curtains helped muffle the noise from the street.
His voice was muffled by the pillow.
The mechanic muffled the engine to reduce its roar.
A muffler is designed to muffle exhaust sounds in vehicles.