distrain

 
Pronunciation: /dɪˈstreɪn/

verb

[with object] Law
  • seize (someone’s property) in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed: legislation has restricted the right to distrain goods found upon the premises
  • seize the property of (someone) in order to obtain payment of money owed: the Crown applied political pressure by distraining debtors

Derivatives

distrainer

noun

distrainment

noun

Origin:

Middle English: from Old French destreindre, from Latin distringere 'stretch apart', from dis- 'apart' + stringere 'tighten'