Curtilage

The inclosed space immediately surrounding a dwelling house, contained within the same inclosure. It is defined by Blount as a yard, backside, or piece of ground near a dwelling house, in which they sow beans, etc., yet distinct from the garden. Blount; Spelman. By others it is said to be a waste piece of ground so situated.

Cowell.

It has recently been defined as "a fence or inclosure of a small piece of land around a dwelling house, usually including the buildings occupied in connection with the dwelling house, the inclosure consisting either of a separate fence, or partly of a fence and partly of the exterior of buildings so within this inclosure."

10 Cush. (Mass.) 480.

The term is used in determining whether the offense of breaking into a barn or warehouse is burglary.

See 4 Bl. Comm. 224; 1 Hale, P. C. 558; 2 Russ. Crimes, 13; 1 Russ. Crimes, 790; Russ. & R. 289; 1 Car. & K. 84; 10 Cush. (Mass.) 480.

In Michigan the meaning of curtilage has been extended to include more than an inclosure near the house.

2 Mich. 250.