encumber

present singular third person encumbers · participle present encumbering · participle past encumbered · past encumbered · alternative archaic incumber

1. transitiveTo load down something with a burden.

   1 more example

   In the reverse direction, creature comforts were not closely studied, and the vessel left Antwerp at 1 p.m., to arrive in Harwich at the awkward hour of 2 a.m. The boat train was waiting for the weary stream of passengers, who straggled up George Street, encumbered with luggage, or following burdened porters in the darkness.

   1951 November, K. Westcott Jones, “Parkeston Quay and the Antwerp Continental Service”, in Railway Magazine, page 760

2. transitiveTo restrict or block something with a hindrance or impediment.

   He [Timothy Forsyte] had never committed the imprudence of marrying or encumbering himself in any way with children.

   1906 – 1921, John Galsworthy, “Encounter”, in The Forsyte Saga, volume 1

3. transitiveTo burden with a legal claim or other obligation.