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Is the word encolham the same in Brazilian and European Portuguese?

Yes

The only difference between the word "encolham" in Brazilian Portuguese and Continental Portuguese is pronunciation. In Brazilian Portuguese, the vowels are generally more open and clearly articulated, giving the word a more "musical" quality. In Continental Portuguese, unstressed vowels are often reduced or "swallowed," making the "e" much shorter and the overall pronunciation sound more clipped and consonant-heavy. The spelling, meaning, and grammatical function remain identical.

Brazilian Portuguese Examples

  1. Espero que as roupas não encolham na lavagem. (I hope the clothes don't shrink in the wash.)
  2. Não deixem que os seus medos os encolham. (Don't let your fears shrink you/make you feel small.)
  3. Peça para que as crianças não se encolham de frio. (Ask them that the children do not huddle from the cold.)
  4. Não quero que os seus músculos encolham demais. (I don't want your muscles to shrink too much.)
  5. Não permitam que as peças encolham no sol. (Don't allow the items to shrink in the sun.)

Continental Portuguese Examples

  1. Espero que as roupas não se encolham na lavagem. (In Portugal, the reflexive "se" is much more commonly used with this verb.)
  2. Não permitas que os teus medos te encolham. (A Portuguese person would naturally use the "tu" form and different verb choice for "permit.")
  3. Diz para que eles não se encolham com o frio. (A Portuguese person would use the "tu" imperative "diz" instead of the Brazilian "diga.")
  4. Não quero que os músculos se contraiam. (A Portuguese person would more naturally use the verb "contrair" for muscle contraction.)
  5. Não deixes que as camisas se encolham. (A Portuguese person would naturally use the "tu" form and the reflexive "se.")