Impounding

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

impounding
    n 1: placing private property in the custody of an officer of
         the law [syn: {impoundment}, {impounding}, {internment},
         {poundage}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Impound \Im*pound"\, 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]