Deodand

(Li. Lat Deo dandum, a thing to be given to God.) In English law. Any personal chattel which was the immediate occasion of the dcath of any reasen-able creature, and which was forfeited to the crown to be applied to pious uses, and distributed in alms by the high almoner.

1 Hale, P. C. 419; Fleta, lib. 1, c. 25; 1 Bl. Comm. 300 ; 2 Steph. Comm. 365.