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ENCUMBER Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

ENCUMBERED Synonyms: 127 Similar and Opposite Words | Merriam-Webster Thesaurus

Encumber (also as incumber): is from Old French encombre "block up", from en 'in' + combre 'river barrage'. 

The adjective "encumbered" was first recorded in English in the late 1700s, specifically 1785, according to the Oxford English Dictionary.  The earliest evidence is from the writing of William Cowper. The word "encumber" itself, as a verb, has a slightly earlier history, with the meaning "hinder, hamper" appearing in English from the late 14th century. 

Examples of using encumbered in a sentence: 
"That's not a good reason to encumber taxpayers with another two decades of debt." 
"A husband could not sell or encumber the homestead without the wife's signature." 
"Heavy cloud cover that could encumber ground forces was expected to lift today." 
"First, these objects encumber what should be an unencumbered architectural space." 
"They would encumber the decks, and rather add to the danger than detract from it." 
 "The casket would encumber you."
"I don't want to encumber myself with unnecessary luggage."
"Lead weights and air cylinders encumbered the divers as they walked to the shore."
"Some people encumber themselves with too much luggage when they take short trips."
"In the neighborhood, the spaces beneath the portes cocheres were encumbered with wounded."