encumber
verb
[ ɪnˈkʌmbə ]
• restrict or impede (someone or something) in such a way that free action or movement is difficult.
• "she was encumbered by her heavy skirts"
Similar:
hamper,
hinder,
obstruct,
impede,
check,
cramp,
inhibit,
restrict,
limit,
constrain,
restrain,
bog down,
retard,
slow,
slow down,
stall,
delay,
inconvenience,
disadvantage,
handicap,
Origin:
Middle English (in the sense ‘cause trouble to, entangle’; formerly also as incumber ): from Old French encombrer ‘block up’, from en- ‘in’ + combre ‘river barrage’.
