Muzzle — Defs

01 n. The projecting mouth and nose of a quadruped, as of a horse; a snout.

1.
The projecting mouth and nose of a quadruped, as of a horse; a snout.
2.
The mouth of a thing; the end for entrance or discharge; as, the muzzle of a gun.
3.
A fastening or covering (as a band or cage) for the mouth of an animal, to prevent eating or vicious biting.
“With golden muzzles all their mouths were bound” — Dryden.

Phrases & compounds

Muzzle sight — See Dispart, n., 2.

02 v. t. To bind the mouth of; to fasten the mouth of, so as to prevent biting or eating; hence, figuratively, to bind; to sheathe; to restrain from…

imp. & p. p. Muzzled; p. pr. & vb. n. Muzzling

1.
To bind the mouth of; to fasten the mouth of, so as to prevent biting or eating; hence, figuratively, to bind; to sheathe; to restrain from speech or action; as, the dictator muzzled all the newspapers.
“Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.” — Deut. xxv. 4.
2.
To fondle with the closed mouth.[Obs.]

03 v. i. To bring the mouth or muzzle near.

1.
To bring the mouth or muzzle near.
“The bear muzzles and smells to him.” — L'Estrange.