noun

1. 1. a race or other competition in which difficulties are imposed on the superior contestants, or advantages given to the inferior, to make their chances of winning equal
   2. such a difficulty or advantage
2. 1. something that hampers a person; disadvantage; hindrance
   2. a physical disability

Etymology: orig. a game in which forfeits were drawn from a cap or hat < hand in cap

transitive verb handicapped -·capped′, handicapping -·cap′·ping

1. to give a handicap to (contestants)
2. to cause to be at a disadvantage; hinder; impede