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distrain

dis·train [ di stráyn ] (past and past participle dis·trained, present participle dis·train·ing, 3rd person present singular dis·trains)

transitive verb

Definition:

take debtor's property as payment: to seize somebody's moveable property either in lieu of payment of a debt or in order to force the person to pay

[14th century. < Old French destreign-, present stem of destreindre< Latin distringere "draw asunder"]

dis·train·a·ble adjective

dis·train·ee [ di strày n ] noun

dis·train·er [ di stráynər ] noun

dis·train·ment [ di stráynmənt ] noun

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