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

• IPA: /ɪnˈkʌm.bɹəns/, /ɛn-/, /-bɹən(t)s/

encumbrance

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. .
3. The state or condition of being encumbered.

• encumberment

• unencumbrance

• German: Belastung, dingliche Belastung

• German: Verschuldung, Schuldenlast, Grundstückslast

encumbrance (encumbrances, present participle encumbrancing; simple past and past participle encumbranced)

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