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| Date: | 1500-1600 |
| Origin: | Partly from CRAMP1; partly from cramp 'tool for holding things together' (14-21 centuries), from Low German krampe 'hook' |
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cramp2
1 [transitive] to prevent the development of someone or something [= hinder, restrict]: 
Stricter anti-pollution laws may cramp economic growth.
Stricter anti-pollution laws may cramp economic growth.2 to prevent someone from behaving in the way they want to : Paul said he didn't want Sarah to come along because she cramps his style.
cramp somebody's style
informalPaul said he didn't want Sarah to come along because she cramps his style.3 [intransitive and transitive] also cramp up to get or cause cramp in a muscle : He cramped in the last 200 metres of the race. Sitting still for so long had cramped her muscles.
He cramped in the last 200 metres of the race.Sitting still for so long had cramped her muscles.