Surmise
A Dictionary of Law · William C. Anderson · 1889
A Dictionary of Law
Formerly, as a -verb, to suggest; as a substantive, a statement or allegation intended to induce judicial action. When a defendant pleaded a local custom, he had to "surmise," that is, to suggest, that the custom be certified by the mouth of the recorder; without which the issue was tried as any other issue of fact. *