purpresture

noun

pur·​pres·​ture

pər-ˈpres-chər

: wrongful appropriation of land subject to the rights of others : an encroachment upon or enclosure of real property (as highways, sidewalks, or harbors) subject to common or public rights

Word History

Etymology

Anglo-French, alteration of Old French porpresure, from porprendre to seize, occupy, enclose, from por- for + prendre to take, from Latin prehendere