Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Hamper

Hamper (ham"pẽr) , noun

[Contr. from hanaper.]

A large basket, usually with a cover, used for the packing and carrying of articles; as, a hamper of wine; a clothes hamper; an oyster hamper, which contains two bushels.

Hamper (-pẽrd) , transitive verb

To put in a hamper.

Hamper , transitive verb

[Old English hamperen, hampren, prob. of the same origin as English hamble.]

To put a hamper or fetter on; to shackle; to insnare; to inveigle; to entangle; hence, to impede in motion or progress; to embarrass; to encumber.
Hampered nerves. — Blackmore
A lion hampered in a net. — L'Estrange
They hamper and entangle our souls. — Tillotson

Hamper , noun

[See Hamper to shackle.]

1.
A shackle; a fetter; anything which impedes. — W. Browne
2.
(Nautical) Articles ordinarily indispensable, but in the way at certain times. — Ham. Nav. Encyc
Collocations (1)
Top hamper (Nautical) , unnecessary spars and rigging kept aloft.