fetter

 
Pronunciation: /ˈfɛtə/

noun

(usually fetters)
  • a chain or manacle used to restrain a prisoner, typically placed around the ankles: he lay bound with fetters of iron
  • a restraint or check on someone’s freedom to act: the fetters of convention

verb

[with object]
  • restrain with chains or manacles, typically around the ankles: (as adjective fettered) a ragged and fettered prisoner
  • confine or restrict (someone): he was not fettered by tradition

Origin:

Old English feter, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch veter 'a lace', from an Indo-European root shared by foot