I. ˈham-ˌstriŋ noun
Date: 1565
1.
a. : either of two groups of tendons at the back of the human knee
b. : any of three muscles at the back of the thigh that function to flex and rotate the leg and extend the thigh
2. : a large tendon above and behind the hock of a quadruped
II. transitive verb
( ham·strung -ˌstrəŋ ; ham·string·ing -ˌstriŋ-iŋ)
Date: 1641
1. : to make ineffective or powerless : cripple
hamstrung by guilt
2. : to cripple by cutting the leg tendons