A restraining device consisting of a pair of strong, connected hoops that can be tightened and locked about the wrists and used on one or both arms of a prisoner in custody; a manacle. Often used in the plural.
transitive verb: -cuffed, -cuff·ing, -cuffs.
To restrain with or as if with handcuffs.
To render ineffective or impotent. See synonyms at hamper1
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition