Meaning of 真綿 in Japanese

Definition of 真綿

まわた(mawata) 【真綿】

まわたでくびをしめる(mawatadekubiwoshimeru) 【真綿で首を絞める】

(exp, v1) to drag things out; to creep up slowly on the point; to strangle (execute) slowly with a silk cord (instead of quickly with a rope)
真綿で首を絞めるような言い方をしないで、お願いだから、もっとはっきり言ってくれない。
Stop trying to make us follow all these subtle clues. I wish you would say what you want to say more clearly.