noun

1. also trammel net
   1. a fishing net consisting of two outer layers of coarse mesh and a loosely hung middle layer of fine mesh
   2. a fowling net
2. a kind of shackle for a horse, esp. one to teach ambling
3. something that confines, restrains, or shackles
4. a device with links or openings at different heights for hanging a pothook in a fireplace
5. an instrument for drawing ellipses
6. any of several devices for adjusting or aligning parts of a machine

Etymology: ME tramaile < MFr tramail, a net < ML tremaculum, kind of fishing net < L tres, three + macula, a mesh

transitive verb trammeled -·meled or trammelled -·melled, trammeling -·mel·ing or trammelling -·mel·ling

1. to entangle in or as in a trammel
2. to confine, restrain, or shackle