Definition of "encumber"

encumber

/ɪnˈkʌmbə(ɹ)/

verb
third-person singular simple present encumbers, present participle encumbering, simple past and past participle encumbered
1. (transitive) To load down something with a burden.
2. (transitive) To restrict or block something with a hindrance or impediment.
  Quotations
  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. (transitive) To burden with a legal claim or other obligation.