purpresture

Meaning

Noun

• The unlawful personal appropriation of public lands; wrongful encroachment on, or enclosure of properties belonging to the public (e.g. highways, sidewalks, forests, harbors).

Origin

• From 1150–1200, Middle English purpresture, from Anglo-Norman purpresture; alteration of Old French porpresure ("enclosure, occupied space"), from porprendre, from por- + prendre; from Latin prehendere.