Dictionary:

cumber

  (kŭm'bər)

1. To weigh down; burden: was cumbered with many duties.
2. To hamper or hinder, as by being in the way: was cumbered with a long poncho.
3. To litter; clutter up: Weeds cumbered the garden paths.
4. Archaic. To bother; distress.

A hindrance; an encumbrance.

[Middle English combren, to annoy, from Old French combrer, from combre, hindrance, from Vulgar Latin *comboros, of Celtic origin.]

verb

To place a burden or heavy load on: burden, charge, encumber, freight, lade, load, saddle, tax, weight. See over/under.

The verb has one meaning:

Meaning #1: hold back
  Synonyms: restrain, encumber, constrain