compurgation

noun

com·​pur·​ga·​tion ˌkäm-(ˌ)pər-ˈgā-shən 

: the clearing of an accused person by oaths of others who swear to the veracity or innocence of the accused

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin compurgation-, compurgatio, from Latin compurgare to clear completely, from com- + purgare to purge

First Known Use

circa 1658, in the meaning defined above