killjoy; wet blanket; spoiling the fun
Refers to a person or thing that ruins an enjoyable atmosphere or dampens enthusiasm. Often used in phrases like 興ざましなことを言う (to say something that spoils the fun).
His one remark killed the party mood.
Don't say things that spoil the fun.
Alternate spelling with 醒 (awaken); also common.
Irregular okurigana usage; less common.
Compound of 興 (interest, fun) and ざまし, the nominalized form of 冷ます (to cool down). Literally 'cooling down the fun'.