Smothers

To suffocate; stifle; obstruct, more or less completely, the respiration of something or someone.

To extinguish or deaden, as fire, by covering, overlaying, or otherwise excluding the air.

"to smother a fire with ashes"

To reduce to a low degree of vigor or activity; suppress or do away with; extinguish

"The committee's report was smothered."

In cookery: to cook in a close dish.

"beefsteak smothered with onions"

That which smothers or appears to smother, particularly