Definition of "smothering"

I do hope there will be no oniony and tobaccoey smotherings in the form of embracings all round, going on in the streets.

1859, Charles Dickens, A Tale of Two Cities

When he came to, he begged me not to tell the hotel management, as his last two attempted smotherings had ended in failure and he was worried about losing his job.

2010, Harry Hill, Livin' the Dreem: A Year in My Life, page 397