The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fetter \Fet"ter\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fettered; p. pr. & vb.
   n. Fettering.]
   1. To put fetters upon; to shackle or confine the feet of
      with a chain; to bind.
      [1913 Webster]

            My heels are fettered, but my fist is free.
                                                  --Milton.
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   2. To restrain from motion; to impose restraints on; to
      confine; to enchain; as, fettered by obligations.
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            My conscience! thou art fettered
            More than my shanks and wrists.       --Shak.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fetter \Fet"ter\ (f[e^]t"t[~e]r), n. [AS. fetor, feter; akin to
   OS. feter[=o]s, pl., OD. veter, OHG. fezzera, Icel.
   fj["o]turr, L. pedica, Gr. pe`dh, and to E. foot. [root] 77.
   See Foot.] [Chiefly used in the plural, fetters.]
   1. A chain or shackle for the feet; a chain by which an
      animal is confined by the foot, either made fast or
      disabled from free and rapid motion; a bond; a shackle.
      [1913 Webster]

            [They] bound him with fetters of brass. --Judg. xvi.
                                                  21.
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   2. Anything that confines or restrains; a restraint.
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            Passion's too fierce to be in fetters bound.
                                                  --Dryden.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

fetter
    n 1: a shackle for the ankles or feet [syn: fetter, hobble]
    v 1: restrain with fetters [syn: fetter, shackle]