The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Distrain \Dis*train"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Distrained; p. pr.
   & vb. n. Distraining.] [OE. destreinen to force, OF.
   destreindre to press, oppress, force, fr. L. distringere,
   districtum, to draw asunder, hinder, molest, LL., to punish
   severely; di- = stringere to draw tight, press together. See
   Strain, and cf. Distress, District, Distraint.]
   1. To press heavily upon; to bear down upon with violence;
      hence, to constrain or compel; to bind; to distress,
      torment, or afflict. [Obs.] "Distrained with chains."
      --Chaucer.
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   2. To rend; to tear. [Obs.]
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            Neither guile nor force might it [a net] distrain.
                                                  --Spenser.
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   3. (Law)
      (a) To seize, as a pledge or indemnification; to take
          possession of as security for nonpayment of rent, the
          reparation of an injury done, etc.; to take by
          distress; as, to distrain goods for rent, or of an
          amercement.
      (b) To subject to distress; to coerce; as, to distrain a
          person by his goods and chattels.
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