wapentake

noun

wa·​pen·​take ˈwa-pən-ˌtāk  ˈwä- 

: a subdivision of some English shires corresponding to a hundred

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old English wǣpentæc, from Old Norse vāpnatak act of grasping weapons, from vāpn weapon + tak act of grasping, from taka to take; probably from the brandishing of weapons as an expression of approval when the chief of the wapentake entered upon his office — more at weapon, take entry 1

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above