Definitions of encumber

1. To impede or hinder; retard; clog; obstruct; load with debt; as, to encumber an estate with mortgages.

2. To impede action, as by a load; embarrass.

3. To obstruct; hinder; burden.

4. to close within bounds, limit or hold back from movement; " This holds the local until the express passengers change trains"; " About a dozen animals were held inside the stockade"; " The illegal immigrants were held at a detention center"; " The terrorists held the journalists for ransom"

5. To impede motion with a load, burden, or anything inconvenient; to hamper and embarrass; to load with pecuniary burdens.

6. To burden with a load; to clog or impede motion with a load; to perplex or embarrass; to load an estate with debt.