Trammel
/ˈtræm.əl/noun
A restraint, hindrance, or a net used for catching fish or birds.
Did you know?Trammel likely came through Anglo-French from a Latinized form of Old French *tramail*, a three-layered fishing net, which is why it still carries the feeling of being caught and restricted.
Etymological Timeline
Late Latin
LL
*trīmaculum*
“A three-meshed net or trammel net”
Old French
OF
tramail
“A three-layered fishing net”
Middle English
ME
tramel
“A net; a shackle or restraint”
16th Century
English
trammel
“A net, chain, or other restraint; later, a hindrance”
Modern English
English
trammel
“Something that restricts freedom or movement”
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