The term 'seize and take into legal custody' can be summarized by the crossword solution 'IMPOUND, ' which is a seven-letter word. IMPOUND is a legal term that refers to the act of taking possession of property, usually by a public authority or government, for a variety of reasons such as failure to pay taxes or other debts. The property is usually held until the owner meets certain conditions, such as paying the debt or providing proof of ownership. In some cases, the property may be sold to cover the costs of impounding it.