Dictionary
en•cum•ber
Pronunciation: (en-kum'bur), [key]—
v.t.
1. to impede or hinder; hamper; retard:
Red tape encumbers all our attempts at action.
2. to block up or fill with what is obstructive or superfluous:
a mind encumbered with trivial and useless information.
3. to burden or weigh down:
She was encumbered with a suitcase and several packages.
4. to burden with obligations, debt, etc.
Also,incumber.Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.