The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Strangle \Stran"gle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Strangled; p. pr. &
   vb. n. Strangling.] [OF. estrangler, F. ['e]trangler, L.
   strangulare, Gr. ?, ?, fr. ? a halter; and perhaps akin to E.
   string, n. Cf. Strain, String.]
   1. To compress the windpipe of (a person or animal) until
      death results from stoppage of respiration; to choke to
      death by compressing the throat, as with the hand or a
      rope.
      [1913 Webster]

            Our Saxon ancestors compelled the adulteress to
            strangle herself.                     --Ayliffe.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. To stifle, choke, or suffocate in any manner.
      [1913 Webster]

            Shall I not then be stifled in the vault, . . .
            And there die strangled ere my Romeo comes? --Shak.
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   3. To hinder from appearance; to stifle; to suppress.
      "Strangle such thoughts." --Shak.
      [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

strangled
    adj 1: held in check with difficulty; "a smothered cough"; "a
           stifled yawn"; "a strangled scream"; "suppressed
           laughter" [syn: smothered, stifled, strangled,
           suppressed]