Beleaguer
Beleaguer ({not transcribed}) , transitive verb
[Dutch belegeren (akin to German belagern, Swedish belagra, Danish beleire); pref. be- = English be- + leger bed, camp, army, akin to English lair. See Lair.]
To surround with an army so as to preclude escape; to besiege; to blockade.
The wail of famine in beleaguered towns.