Fossagium
Defined in 4 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Black's (1910), Black's (1891)
The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary
Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922
The duty levied on the inhabitants for repairing the moat or ditch around a fortified town. FOSSATORIUM OPERATIO (Lat.) The service or 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. Kennett; Cowell. FOSSATUM (Law Lat. from fossa, q. v.)
In old English law. A dyke; a bank of earth thrown up out of a ditch. Glanv. lib. 13, c. 34; Bracton, fol. 115; Fleta, lib. 1, c. 24, i 8; St. Westminster II. c. 46. A ditch or trench. The same with fossa. Spelman; Rig. Orig. 92b, 198b, 199. A moat or fosse around an encampment or fortified place. Spelman. A canal or cut from a river. Cowell; Cart. 20 Hen. III. A place fenced with a ditch. Cowell.
Ballentine's Law Dictionary
James A. Ballentine · 1916
Black's Law Dictionary
Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
A Dictionary of Law
Henry Campbell Black · 1891
In old English law. M pairing the moat or ditch round a fortified town.