muzzle

 
Pronunciation: /ˈmʌz(ə)l/

noun

  • 1the projecting part of the face, including the nose and mouth, of an animal such as a dog or horse: she patted the horse’s velvety muzzle
  • a guard, typically made of straps or wire, fitted over an animal’s muzzle to stop it biting or feeding: the law says that pit bull terriers have to wear a muzzle
  • informal the part of a person’s face including the nose, mouth, and chin: his close-shaven muzzle
  • 2the open end of the barrel of a firearm: Devlin jammed the muzzle of the gun into the man’s neck

verb

[with object]
  • put a muzzle on (an animal): the dog should have been muzzled
  • prevent (a person or group) from expressing their opinions freely: opposition leaders accused him of muzzling the news media

Origin:

late Middle English: from Old French musel, diminutive of medieval Latin musum, of unknown ultimate origin