Fossage
Defined in 2 dictionaries — Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914)
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
A duty paid by the inhabitants of a town for care of a surrounding moat.
Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia
John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914
FOSSAGIUM. In Old English Law. A composition paid in lieu of the duty of cleaning out and repairing the moat surrounding a fortified town. A tax paid for that work. FOSSATORUM OPERATIO (Lat.). The service of laboring done by the inhabitants and adjoining tenants, for repair and maintenance of the ditches round a city or town. A contribution in lieu of such work, called fossagium, was sometimes paid. Kennctt; Cowell.