(smother or suppress; "Stifle your curiosity")
(make moist; "The dew moistened the meadows")
(deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping)
(reduce the amplitude (of oscillations or waves))
(make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible; "muffle the message")
(check; keep in check (a fire))
(lessen in force or effect; "soften a shock"; "break a fall")