Extortion
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary · Alexander M. Burrill · 1850
A New Law Dictionary and Glossary
[from Lat. extorsio, from extorquere, to wring or wrest from.] In criminal law. An unlawful or violent wringing of money or money-worth from any man.
Cowell.
A taking of more than is due, by color or pretence of right. Id. The offence of an officer's taking, by color of his office, any money, or thing of value that is not due to him, or more than is due, or before it is due.
Co. Litt. 368 b. 10 Co. 102. 4 Bl. Com. 141. 4 Steph. Com. 212. 2 N. Y. Rev. Stat. [650], 642, § 6. Lewis' U. S. Crim. Law, 267.