muffle

noun

1. Anything that mutes or deadens sound.
2. A warm piece of clothing for the hands.
3. (archaic, slang)A boxing glove.

   “N.B.—Mr Broughton proposes, with proper assistance, to open an academy at his house in the Haymarket, for the instruction of those who are willing to be initiated in the mystery of boxing: […] muffles are provided, that will effectually secure them from the inconveniency of black eyes, broken jaws, and bloody noses.”

4. A kiln or furnace, often electric, with no direct flames (a muffle furnace)
5. The bare end of the nose between the nostrils, especially in ruminants.
6. A machine with two pulleys to hoist load by spinning wheels, polyspast, block and tackle.

verb

1. (transitive)To wrap (a person, face etc.) in fabric or another covering, for warmth or protection; often with up.

   “The face lies muffled up within the garment.”

   “He muffled with a cloud his mournful eyes.”

   “It is much to the Honour of our Engliſh VVives, that they have never given up that fundamental Point [the "right of cuckoldom"]; and that tho' in former Ages they vvere muffled up in Darkneſs and Superſtition, yet that Notion ſeem'd engraven on their Minds, and the Impreſſion ſo ſtrong, that nothing could impair it.”

2. (transitive)To wrap up or cover (a source of noise) in order to deaden the sound.

   “to muffle the strings of a drum, or that part of an oar which rests in the rowlock”

   “I intend to muffle the sweeps and row the schooner up to the head of the creek there, from which point we can command the pile of sandal-wood with our gun.”

3. (transitive)To mute or deaden (a sound etc.).

   “The singer's voice was muffled by the thick walls, yet Tyrion knew the verse.”

4. (dated, intransitive)To speak indistinctly, or without clear articulation.
5. (dated, transitive)To prevent seeing, or hearing, or speaking, by wraps bound about the head; to blindfold; to deafen.