To take official possession of something and keep it in custody, especially by a government authority.
From 'in-' (put into) plus 'pound' (an enclosure). Originally meant to put livestock in a pound (enclosure), later expanded to mean confiscating anything officially.
Animal control impounds lost dogs in pounds, cops impound cars from crime scenes, and governments impound counterfeit goods—the word connects to that original medieval pound where stray animals were kept until claimed.
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