Noxa

Lat. In the civil law. This term denoted any damage or injury done to persons or property by an unlawful act committed by a man's slave or animal. An action for damages lay against the master or owner, who, however, might escape further responsibility by delivering up the offending agent to the party injured. "Noxa" was also used as the designation of the offense committed, and of its punishment, and sometimes of the slave or animal doing the damage.