Muzzle \Muz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Muzzled; p. pr. & vb. n. Muzzling.]

[F. museler.]

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. ``My dagger muzzled.'' --Shak.

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. --Deut. xxv. 4.

2. To fondle with the closed mouth. [Obs.]

--L'Estrange.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Muzzle \Muz"zle\, n. [OE. mosel, OF. musel, F. museau muzzle or snout, LL. musellus, fr. musus, morsus. See Muse, v. i., and cf. Morsel.]

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.

Muzzle sight. (Gun.) See Dispart, n., 2.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Muzzle \Muz"zle\, v. i. To bring the mouth or muzzle near.

The bear muzzles and smels to him. --L'Estrange.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)