swanimote

noun

swan·​i·​mote

ˈswänəˌmōt

variants or less commonly swainmote

ˈswānˌm-

or swanmote

ˈswänˌm-

plural -s

: a court formerly held before foresters, verderers, and other forest officers to try offenses against vert and venison and to hear grievances against forest officers

Word History

Etymology

Middle English swanimot, from (assumed) Old English swāngemōt, from Old English swān herdsman, peasant + gemōt judicial assembly, gemot

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