baffle

nouns

a flat plate that controls or directs the flow of fluid or energy

be a mystery or bewildering to

"This beats me!"; "Got me--I don't know the answer!"; "a vexing problem"; "This question really stuck me"

amaze, baffle, beat, bewilder, dumbfound, flummox, get, gravel, mystify, nonplus, perplex, pose, puzzle, stick, stupefy, vex

is derived from

hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of

"What ultimately frustrated every challenger was Ruth's amazing September surge"; "foil your opponent"

baffle, bilk, cross, foil, frustrate, queer, scotch, spoil, thwart

check the emission of (sound)

baffle, regulate