muzzle

noun

• 1the projecting part of the face, including the nose and mouth, of an animal such as a dog or horse.
• a guard, typically made of straps or wire, fitted over this part of an animal’s face to stop it from biting or feeding.
• informal the part of a person’s face including the nose, mouth, and chin.

• 2the open end of the barrel of a firearm.

verb

• put a muzzle on (an animal).
• prevent (a person or group) from expressing their opinions freely:the politicians want to muzzle us and control what we write