Burdened, the man returned home (5)
I believe the answer is:
laden
'burdened' is the definition.
('laden' can be a synonym of 'burdened')
'the man returned home' is the wordplay.
'the man' becomes 'al' (**).
'returned' says the letters should be written backwards.
'home' becomes 'den' (I've seen this in other clues).
'al' written backwards gives 'la'.
'la'+'den'='LADEN'
(Other definitions for laden that I've seen before include "full cargo ship" , "Like many a cargo ship" , "Heavily weighed down" , "Loaded - oppressed" , "Carrying goods" .)