burke

verb3

1. •
   (UK, slang) To murder by suffocation.

   • As soon as the executioner proceeded to his duty, the cries of ‘Burke him, Burke him—give him no rope’... were vociferated... ‘Burke Hare too!’ — 1829
2. •
   (UK, slang) To murder for the same purpose as Burke, to kill in order to have a body to sell to anatomists, surgeons, etc.

   • Perhaps he is Burked, and his body sold for nine pounds. — 1833
3. •
   (UK, slang) To smother; to conceal, hush up, suppress.

   • The reporters left it out... Those who spoke in favour of the poor men, were what the reporters call burked. — 1835