incapacitating chemical agent

in·ca·pac·i·ta·ting chem·i·cal a·gent

(in'kă-pas'i-tā-ting kem'i-kăl ā'jĕnt) 1. In U.S. military parlance, a chemical agent designed for use on the battlefield to cause temporary impairment of a soldier's performance. 2. In a more extended sense, any chemical compound designed to cause temporary impairment rather than serious illness or death. Examples include riot-control agents and opioids.