distrain
verb
dis·train di-ˈstrān 
distrained; distraining; distrains
transitive verb
1
: to force or compel to satisfy an obligation by means of a distress
2
: to seize by distress
intransitive verb
: to levy a distress
distrainable
di-ˈstrā-nə-bəl
adjective distrainer
di-ˈstrā-nər
noun or less commonly distrainor
di-ˈstrā-nər
-ˌstrā-ˈnȯr
Word History
Etymology
Middle English distreynen, from Anglo-French destreindre, from Medieval Latin distringere, from Latin, to draw apart, detain, from dis- + stringere to bind tight — more at strain
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Legal Definition
distrain
verb
dis·train di-ˈstrān
transitive verb
1
: to force or compel to satisfy an obligation by means of a distress
2
: to seize by distress compare enter
intransitive verb
: to levy a distress