Main Entry: ¹muz·zle

Pronunciation: \ˈmə-zəl\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English mosel, from Middle French musel, from Old French *mus mouth of an animal, from Medieval Latin musus

Date: 15th century

1 : the projecting jaws and nose of an animal : snout
2 a : a fastening or covering for the mouth of an animal used to prevent eating or biting b : something (as censorship) that restrains normal expression
3 : the open end of an implement; especially : the discharging end of a weapon

[muzzle illustration]