impounding

2 definitions found

impounding - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Impound \Im*pound"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Impounded; p. pr. &
     vb. n. Impounding.]
     To shut up or place in an inclosure called a pound; hence, to
     hold in the custody of some authority such as police or a
     court; as, to impound stray cattle; to impound an illegally
     parked car; to impound a document for safe keeping.
     [1913 Webster +PJC]
  
           But taken and impounded as a stray,
           The king of Scots.                       --Shak.
     [1913 Webster]

impounding - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  impounding
      n 1: placing private property in the custody of an officer of
           the law [syn: impoundment, impounding, internment,
           poundage]