Caput lupinum
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
Lat. [Sax. wulfesheofod.] In Saxon and old English law.
A wolf's head
An outlawed felon was anciently so called, because he might be slain or knocked in the head, like a wolf, by any one that should meet him. Bract. fol.
128 b, 134.
Mirr. c.
4, sect. 4. Co. Litt. 128 b. 4 Bl. Com. 320.
That is to say, he might be killed, if he resisted being taken, or endeavored to escape, but if he did neither, whoever killed him was bound to answer for him, as for any other person. This important explanation, given by Bracton, has been overlooked by some later writers. Bract. ub. sup.
2 Reeves' Hist. Eng. Law, 20.