Muffling
/ˈmʌf.lɪŋ/noun
The act of wrapping, covering, or softening something so it sounds less loud or looks less distinct.
Did you know?‘Muffle’ entered English through the idea of a face-covering or hood, and the same old root behind it is tied to cloth-wrapping and concealment rather than sound alone.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*muffō-
“a muff, covering, or wrap”
Middle Dutch
Dutch
mof
“a muff or hand-warmer; a covering”
Middle English
English
mufflen
“to wrap up, cover, or conceal”
16th Century
English
muffle
“to wrap or cover thickly; later, to deaden sound”
Modern English
English
muffling
“covering or softening so as to reduce sound or visibility”