6. (a) Anything towed in the water to retard a ship's progress, or to keep her head up to the wind; esp., a canvas bag with a hooped mouth, so used. See Drag sail (below). (b) Also, a skid or shoe, for retarding the motion of a carriage wheel. (c) Hence, anything that retards; a clog; an obstacle to progress or enjoyment.
My lectures were only a pleasure to me, and no drag.
J. D. Forbes.
7. Motion affected with slowness and difficulty, as if clogged. "Had a drag in his walk." Hazlitt.