Contrectatio
A Dictionary of Law · Henry Campbell Black · 1891
A Dictionary of Law
In the civil and old eT Englishlaw. Touching; handling; meddling. The act of removing a thing from its plaee in such a manner that, if the thing be not restored, it will amount to theft. Contrectatio rei alienz, animo furan- an di, est furtum.
Jenk. Cent. 132.
The touching or removing of another’s property, with an intention of stealing, is theft.