Muzzle

muz′l, n. the projecting jaws and nose of an animal: a fastening for the mouth to prevent biting, by a strap or a cage: the extreme end of a gun, .— v.t. to put a muzzle on: to restrain from biting: to keep from hurting: to gag or silence.— ns. Muzz′le-bag , a canvas bag fixed to the muzzle of a gun at sea, to keep out water; Muzz′le-load′er , a firearm loaded through the muzzle—opp. to Breech-loader .— adj. Muzz′le-load′ing .— n. Muzz′le-veloc′ity , the velocity of a projectile the moment it leaves the muzzle of a gun. [O. Fr. musel (Fr. museau ), prob. from L. mors us — mordēre , to bite.]