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| Date: | 1400-1500 |
| Origin: | Probably from the sound of someone being prevented from breathing |
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gag1
past tense and past participle gagged, present participle gagging
past tense and past participle gagged, present participle gagging1 [intransitive] to be unable to swallow and feel as if you are about to bring up food from your stomach : 
The foul smell made her gag.
The foul smell made her gag.2 [transitive]SC to put a piece of cloth over someone's mouth to stop them making a noise : Thugs gagged her and tied her to a chair. He left his victim bound and gagged (=tied up and with something over their mouth that stops them speaking).
Thugs gagged her and tied her to a chair.He left his victim bound and gagged (=tied up and with something over their mouth that stops them speaking).3 [transitive]SC to stop people saying what they want to say and expressing their opinions : an attempt to gag political activists ➔ gag order, gag rule
an attempt to gag political activists4 to be very eager to do or have something : They were gagging to sign the contract.
be gagging to do something/be gagging for something
British English informalThey were gagging to sign the contract.