/ ɪnˈkʌmbə(r); NAmE / verb [ vn ] [ usually passive ] encumber sb/sth (with sth) ( formal )
1.
to make it difficult for sb to do sth or for sth to happen :
The police operation was encumbered by crowds of reporters.
2.
to be large and/or heavy and make it difficult for sb to move :
The frogmen were encumbered by their diving equipment.
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WORD 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.