TETHER

I. noun Etymology: Middle English tethir, teder, probably of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse tjōthr ~; akin to Old High German zeotar pole of a wagon Date: 14th century something (as a rope or chain) by which an animal is fastened so that it can range only within a set radius, the limit of one's strength or resources , II. transitive verb (~ed; ~ing) Date: 15th century to fasten or restrain by or as if by a ~