Obs. An alleged term of OE. law (see quot.).
[The explanation below is prob. a mere conjecture due to association with mod.Eng. fled. It has been suggested that the word may have arisen from a misreading of ferdwite (see FERD sb.1).]
1579. Rastell’s Termes of the Lawe, 93. Fledwite, that is to bee quyte from amercements when an outlawed fugitive cometh to the Kinges peace of hys owne will, or beinge licenced. [Hence in many later Dicts.]
