Possible Meanings:
* Stiff: This is the most likely intended word. It means rigid, inflexible, or unyielding.
* Example: "The old man's fingers were stiff with arthritis."
* Stifle: This word means to suppress or choke.
* Example: "Don't stifle your creativity!"
* Stifled: This is the past tense of "stifle."
* Example: "The heavy smoke stifled the fire."
To understand the correct meaning, we need more context. Please provide the sentence or situation where you encountered the word "stifle" so we can clarify the meaning.