term:

Seize

seize vt

seized
seiz·ing
1
or
seise

: to put in possession of property or vest with the right of possession or succession [stand seized of land]
2 : to take possession or custody of (property) esp. by lawful authority [ drugs as evidence] [the judgment of criminal forfeiture shall authorize the Attorney General to the interest or property subject to forfeiture "Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure Rule 32(b)(2)"] [can the goods subject to his security interest and…keep them in satisfaction of the debt "J. J. White and R. S. Summers"] compare foreclose, repossess
3 : to detain (a person) in such circumstances as would lead a reasonable person to believe that he or she was not free to leave [determined that the defendant was seized when surrounded by police officers]
seiz·able adj

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.