Hamstring

Part of speech: noun (n.)

One of the great tendons situated in each side of the ham, or space back of the knee, and connected with the muscles of the back of the thigh.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

To lame or disable by cutting the tendons of the ham or knee; to hough; hence, to cripple; to incapacitate; to disable. So have they hamstrung the valor of the subject by seeking to effeminate us all at home. Milton.