waif

1) A piece of property found ownerless, especially an animal that had strayed. If unclaimed within a fixed period, and after due notice given, it fell to the lord of the manor.

1612 All my wayf goods in the back garthe, Brandsby

1687 a waife swarme of bees, Heptonstall. More often linked with ‘stray’: c.1546 a parcel of commen grounde belonging to the towne of Cropton to wave and strey and not to drive catall thereunto nor to stafe hirde ... comen to all neighbours.

dates 1546 1612 1687

Related Content Loading...

Photo by Kreuzschnabel CC BY-SA 3.0