The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fardel \Far"del\, n. [OF. fardel, F. fardeau; cf. Sp. fardel,
   fardillo, fardo, LL. fardellus; prob. fr. Ar. fard one of the
   two parts of an object divisible into two, hence, one of the
   two parts of a camel's load. Cf. Furl.]
   A bundle or little pack; hence, a burden. [Obs.] --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]

         A fardel of never-ending misery and suspense.
                                                  --Marryat.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Fardel \Far"del\, v. t.
   To make up in fardels. [Obs.] --Fuller.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

fardel
    n 1: a burden (figuratively in the form of a bundle)