[f. as prec. + -ING2.]
1. That chokes; that stops respiration; that produces a feeling of choking; also fig. Choking apple = choke apple (see CHOKE-); choking pear = CHOKE-PEAR; choking pie (see quot. 1611).
1562. J. Heywood, Prov. & Epigr. (1867), 36. To cast in my téeth, Checks and chokyng oysters.
1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., I. i. 200. A choking gall.
1611. Cotgr., Chaumoufflet, Bumbast put into a cornet of paper, then kindled, and the smoke thereof put into the nosethrils of a sleeper; we call it, a choaking pie, or cold pie.
1623. Favine, Theat. Hon., V. i. 48. Kept a choaking Peare in store for him.
1855. Macaulay, Hist. Eng., III. xvi. 619. No solicitations could induce him … to move out of the choking cloud of dust.
1888. Mrs. H. Ward, R. Elsmere, xxi. Helpless children died in choking torture [of diphtheria].
2. Smothering, strangling.
1746–7. Hervey, Medit. (1758), I. 146. Avarice, like some choaking Weed, teach the Fingers to gripe, and the Hands to oppress.
3. Drawing together; tightly closing.
1859. F. A. Griffiths, Artil. Man. (1862), 191. The putting in of the braid and choking string.
4. Showing a tendency to choke as with emotion.
1837. Disraeli, Venetia, II. ii. (1871), 109. Her tone was severe and choking. Ibid. (1844), Coningsby, IX. iv. (L.). Said Flora, speaking in a choking voice.
