Fourcher

forcher, foercher, l.fr.

In old English law. A terra applied to a particular mode of casting essoins by two or more tenants, simul et vicissim, that is, alternately, and in succession, so as to prolong the proceedings, and thereby delay the demandant.

Fr. To fork. This was a method of delaying an action anciently resorted to by defendants when two of them were joined in the suit. Instead of appearing together, each would appear in turn and east an essojn for the other, thus postponing the trial,

Forcher, Foercher. L. Fr. [from fourcher, to divide, or fork.] In old English practice. A term applied to a particular mode of casting essoins by two or more tenants, simul et vicissim; that is, alternately, and in succession, so as to prolong the proceedings, and thereby delay the demandant. For this purpose, when a praecipe was brought against A. and B., A. was essoined and B. appeared, and had idem dies (the same day) given him; at which day A. appeared, but B. cast an essoin; at the dies datus, A. was essoined again and B. appeared, and so alternately. This was called fourcher (that is, to divide,) by essoin, because they divided themselves in delay of the demandant, by essoins and appearances interchangeably. 2 Reeves' Hist. Eng. Law, 122. 2 Inst. 250. Termes de la ley. This practice was abolished by statute Westminster 1, ch. 43.

English law, a French word which means to fork. Formerly when an action was brought against two, who, being {jointly concerned, were not bound to answer till both appeared, and they agreed not to appear both in one day; the appearance of one exother, the defaulter on the day appointed appeared, but the first then made. default, in this manner they forked each other, and practiced this for delay. Vide 2 Inst. 250.