purpresture

[ per-pres-cher ]
/ pərˈprɛs tʃər /

noun Law.

the wrongful enclosure of or intrusion upon lands, waters, or other property rightfully belonging to the public at large.

Origin of purpresture

1150–1200; Middle English < Old French pourpres(t)ure, porpresure enclosure, occupied space, equivalent to pourprise, porprise (past participle of purprendre to seize upon, encroach upon, enclose, equivalent to pur- por- pro-1 + prendre to take < Latin prehendere; see prehension) + -ure -ure