(v) take temporary possession of as a security, by legal authority, Syn. confiscate, sequester, attach, seize, Example:The FBI seized the drugs; The customs agents impounded the illegal shipment; The police confiscated the stolen artwork
v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Impounded; p. pr. & vb. n. Impounding. ] To shut up or place in an inclosure called a pound; hence, to hold in the custody of some authority such as police or a court; as, to impound stray cattle; to impound an illegally parked car; to impound a document for safe keeping. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]
But taken and impounded as a stray, The king of Scots. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]