encumbrance

• incumbrance

From Middle English encombraunce, from Old French encombrance, from encombrer.

encumbrance (countable and uncountable, plural encumbrances)

1. Something that encumbers; a burden that must be carried.
   • 1912 January, Zane Grey, chapter 8, in Riders of the Purple Sage […], New York, N.Y.; London: Harper & Brothers Publishers, →OCLC:

     Some consideration was necessary to decide whether or not to leave his rifle there. On the return, carrying the girl and a pack, it would be added encumbrance […]

2. (property law) An interest, right, burden, or liability attached to a title of land, such as a lien or mortgage.
3. (law) One who is dependent on another.

   a widow without encumbrances, i.e. without children

• encumberment

encumbrance (third-person singular simple present encumbrances, present participle encumbrancing, simple past and past participle encumbranced)

1. (law) To apply an encumbrance to (property, etc.).