distrain
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
distrain /dɪˈstreɪn/
▶verb Law seize (property) in order to obtain payment of rent or other money owed.
– derivatives
distrainer noun,
distrainment noun.
distrainer noun,
distrainment noun.
– origin ME: from OFr. destreindre, from L. distringere ‘stretch apart’.
'distrain' also found in these Oxford entries:

