To choke or strangle someone by squeezing their throat. It can also mean to control or limit the power or speed of an engine or process.
Probably from Middle English 'throtele,' a diminutive of 'throte' (throat), meaning 'windpipe.' The original sense was to choke or block the throat. As engines were invented, the word was borrowed to describe the device that 'chokes' or controls fuel and air flow.
When you 'throttle' an internet connection, you’re metaphorically squeezing its throat so less data can pass. The same image works for engines, people, and even ideas that get 'choked off.' It’s a vivid example of how physical violence terms slide into technical and abstract uses.
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