/en kum"breuhns/ , n.
1. something that encumbers; something burdensome, useless, or superfluous; burden; hindrance: Poverty was a lifelong encumbrance.
2. a dependent person, esp. a child.
3. Law. a burden or claim on property, as a mortgage.
Also, incumbrance .
[ 1275-1325; ME encombraunce encumbrance. See ENCUMBER, -ANCE ]