suffocation (n.)

late 14c., from Middle French suffocation, from Latin suffocationem (nominative suffocatio) "a choking, stifling," noun of action from past participle stem of suffocare "suffocate, throttle, stifle, strangle," originally "to narrow up," from sub "up (from under)" (see sub-) + fauces (plural) "throat, narrow entrance" (see faucet).