What does the cryptic crossword clue "Eastern US state linked to brown hamper (8)" mean?

The definition is "hamper". The wordplay uses a charade (building blocks). E (synonym="eastern") + NC (synonym="North Carolina – US state") + UMBER (synonym="brown") = ENCUMBER; definition: "hamper" The answer is ENCUMBER.

Eastern US state linked to brown hamper (8)

Guardian Cryptic #29071 | 19 Down | 2023-05-16 flower

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