Espousals
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
contracts, a mutual promise between a man and a woman to marry each other, at some other time: it differs from a marriage, because then the contract is completed.
Wood’s Inst. 57; vide Dig. 23, 1,1; Code, 5,1, 4; Novel. 115, c. 8, 8. 11; Ayliff’s Parerg. 245.