afoul

adverb, adjective

1. in a state of collision or entanglement: a ship with its shrouds afoul.

Idioms

2. run/come/fall afoul of,
   1. to become entangled with: The boat ran afoul of the seaweed.
   2. to come into conflict with: The business had fallen afoul of the new government regulations.

adverb, adjective (postpositive)

1. (usually foll by of) in or into a state of difficulty, confusion, or conflict (with)
2. (often foll by of) in or into an entanglement or collision (with) (often in the phrase run afoul of)a yacht with its sails afoul; the boat ran afoul of a steamer

adv.

“entangled,” 1809, originally nautical, now mainly in phrase to run afoul of; from a- (1) + foul.