gavelkind

noun

gav·​el·​kind ˈga-vəl-ˌkīnd 

: a tenure of land existing chiefly in Kent from Anglo-Saxon times until 1925 and providing for division of an intestate's estate equally among the sons or other heirs

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gavelkynde, from gavel entry 1 + kinde kind

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above