Domesday

or DOMESDAY BOOK (Saxon). An ancient record made in the t"«e oi rsmaimng volumes of unequal size, containing minute and accurate surveys of the lands in England. It has been printed, also.

2 Sharswood, Bl. Comm. 49, 60.

A variety of ingenious accounts are given of the origin of this term by the old writers. The commoner opinion seems to be that it was so called from the fullness and completeness of the survey making it a day of judgment for the value, extent, and qualities of every piece of land. See Spelman; Blount; Termes de la Ley. It was practically a careful census taken and recorded in the exchequer of the kingdom of England. DOMESMEN (Saxon). An inferior kind of judges; men appointed to doom (judge) in matters in controversy.

Cowell.

Suitors in a court of a manor in ancient demesne, who are judges there. Blount; Whishaw; Termes de la Ley.