Which word describes a heavy, burdensome load?

The term "encumbrance" specifically refers to a heavy, burdensome load that can impose a sense of weight or difficulty in carrying or managing something. It often implies not only the physical weight but also a sense of hindrance or obstruction in terms of burdening someone or something. In various contexts, especially legal and financial situations, an encumbrance can denote a claim, lien, or restriction on property, further emphasizing the notion of something that weighs down or complicates.

While "burden" also indicates a heavy load, it tends to refer more generally to any load that is difficult to bear. "Weight" refers primarily to the measurement of heaviness and does not necessarily convey the connotation of being burdensome. "Load" is a broad term that refers to anything that is carried, but it lacks the specific implication of hindrance that "encumbrance" embodies. Thus, encumbrance is the most accurate term for describing a heavy, burdensome load with an additional nuance of hindrance and difficulty.