Meaning

noun shackle that consists of a metal loop that can be locked around the wrist; usually used in pairs

verb confine or restrain with or as if with manacles or handcuffs

originFrom hand + cuff (“end of shirtsleeve”). Possibly an adaptation of Middle English handcops (“shackles for the hand, handcuffs”), from Old English handcops, from hand + cops, cosp (“fetter, chains”), but due to a lack of continuity (centuries between Old English and the modern term), generally analyzed as a re-invention. Nominal form first appears c. 1591 in the publications of John Florio. Verbal…

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0