The Spanish verb 'embarazar' (meaning 'to make pregnant' or 'to hinder') has an interesting etymology that traces back to Old Irish. It comes from the Old Irish word 'barr' meaning 'tuft' or 'crown', which evolved into the Portuguese word 'baraça' meaning 'cord' or 'rope'. This then developed into the Portuguese verb 'embaraçar' meaning 'to entangle' or 'impede', before finally entering Spanish as 'embarazar'.

The semantic evolution from 'tuft/crown' to 'pregnancy' can be understood through the intermediate meanings: first it became associated with ropes and cords, then with the concept of entanglement or impediment, and finally with pregnancy - perhaps viewing pregnancy as a state that 'entangles' or 'impedes' normal activity. The meaning 'to hinder' in modern Spanish maintains a direct connection to the earlier sense of entanglement.

A related Spanish word is 'embarazoso' (embarrassing or awkward), which shares the same root and connects to the idea of being hindered or impeded. Another related term is 'embarazo' (pregnancy), which is the noun form derived directly from 'embarazar'.

While not directly related etymologically, the English word 'embarrass' bears a striking similarity to 'embarazar' and entered English through French, which got it from Spanish/Portuguese. However, while Spanish retained both meanings of 'to make pregnant' and 'to hinder', English 'embarrass' developed solely along the line of causing social hindrance or discomfort.