Obs. [OE. for(e)fang, -fęng, f. FORE- pref. + FANG, FENG sbs.]
1. OE. Law. A rescuing of stolen property; the reward for this.
a. 1000. Laws Ine, liii. Be forstolenes monnes forefenge.
a. 1000. Laws Æthelst., vi. Forfang … æt men fiftene peningas.
2. By post-Conquest lawyers explained (perh. by conjecture based on the etymology) to mean: The fine for taking provisions from a market before the royal purveyors were served.
c. 1250. Gloss. Law Terms, in Rel. Ant., I. 33. Forfeng, quite de avant prise (avent le rei).
