The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 letter word STIFLE
I've seen this crossword clue in Financial Times
S
T
I
F
L
E
More clues leading to the result STIFLE
- Prevent small fairy taking it back
- Hamper, comprising small spongy dessert, Roger removed
- Horse’s joint that’s broken itself
- It could mean to choke itself, strangely
- Dessert not right after second scotch
- Hold back stone weapon, dropping resistance
- Choke is left out
- To repress lecturer going through first of epileptic seizures, stood up
- Silence a bunch of pigs, reportedly
- Block steps to secure source of funding
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "It could mean to choke" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case it could mean to choke = stifle.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does STIFLE mean?
STIFLE noun- A hind knee of various mammals, especially horses.
- A bone disease of this region.
- To interrupt or cut off.
- To repress, keep in or hold back.
- To smother or suffocate.
- To feel smothered etc.
- To die of suffocation.
- To treat a silkworm cocoon with steam as part of the process of silk production.