impressment

[ im-pres-muh nt ]

/ ɪmˈprɛs mənt /

the act of impressing people or property into public service or use.

Origin of impressment

First recorded in 1780–90; impress² + -ment

Instead of that it got them by a method which was called "impressment."

The Boys of 1812 and Other Naval Heroes |James Russell Soley
But in 1794 impressment was a negotiable question, because we were not ready to go to war about it then and there.

George Washington, Vol. II |Henry Cabot Lodge
This day is memorable for the impressment of seamen into the British service.

The Every Day Book of History and Chronology |Joel Munsell
In the provisioning of the army the Confederate Government had recourse to impressment and the arbitrary fixing of prices.

The Day of the Confederacy |Nathaniel W. Stephenson

The impressment of seamen continued and was the source of daily increasing abuse.

Sustained honor |John R. Musick,

impressment

/ (ɪmˈprɛsmənt) /

the commandeering or conscription of things or men into government service