sputavati

1. to restrict; to hold back; to hamper
   Strah ga stalno sputava da kaže šta misli. — Fear keeps holding him back from saying what he thinks.
   Birokratija sputava razvoj malih firmi. — Bureaucracy hampers the growth of small businesses.
2. to bind; to fetter; to tie up
   Seljaci su sputavali konje da ne odlutaju. — The farmers would hobble the horses so they wouldn't wander off.

Takes the accusative; mostly used figuratively (fear, rules or duties restrict someone).