dampen

smother or suppress

• “Stifle your curiosity”

make moist

• “The dew moistened the meadows”

deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping

reduce the amplitude (of oscillations or waves)

make vague or obscure or make (an image) less visible

• “muffle the message”

check; keep in check (a fire)

lessen in force or effect

• “soften a shock”
• “break a fall”