encumber

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To weigh someone down or make movement difficult with a heavy load.

   The hikers were encumbered with heavy packs on the steep trail.

2. 2
   verb

   To hold something back or get in its way; to hinder.

   He had never encumbered himself with a family or a mortgage.

3. 3
   verb

   To burden property with a legal claim or debt.

   The estate was heavily encumbered with unpaid loans.

From Middle English encombren, from Old French encombrer, from en- + combrer (“to hinder”); see cumber. By surface analysis, en- + cumber.

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