encumber Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb hold back
    constrain; restrain; cumber.

WordNet

En*cum"ber transitive verb
Etymology
F. encombrer; pref. en- (L. in) + OF. combrer to hinder. See Cumber, and cf. Incumber.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Encumbered ; present participle & verbal noun Encumbering
Definitions
  1. To impede the motion or action of, as with a burden; to retard with something superfluous; to weigh down; to obstruct or embarrass; as, his movements were encumbered by his mantle; his mind is encumbered with useless learning.
    Not encumbered with any notable inconvenience. Hooker.
  2. To load with debts, or other legal claims; as, to encumber an estate with mortgages. Syn. -- To load; clog; oppress; overload; embarrass; perplex; hinder; retard; obstruct; check; block.

Webster 1913