a. Obs. Forms: α. 4 encoumberous, 4–5 encomb(e)rous(e, 6– encumbrous. Also β. 4 incombrous. [a. OF. encombros, f. encombre: see ENCUMBER sb. and -OUS.] Cumbersome, distressing, troublesome.
c. 1384. Chaucer, H. Fame, 862. Harde langage … ys encombrouse for to here. Ibid. (c. 1392), Compl. Venus, 42. But ful encoumberous [v.r. encombrous] is þe vsing.
1413. Lydg., Pilgr. Sowle, II. xliv. (1859), 50. The mooste encomberous melodye that euer I herde byfore.
1694. Strype, Cranmer, II. iii. note (D.). To avoid many encumbrous arguments.
