champerty

cham·per·ty

noun \ˈcham-pər-tē\

Definition of CHAMPERTY

:  a proceeding by which a person not a party in a suit bargains to aid in or carry on its prosecution or defense in consideration of a share of the matter in suit

— cham·per·tous \-pər-təs\ adjective

Origin of CHAMPERTY

Middle English champartie, from Anglo-French, from champart share in litigious property, from champ field (from Latin campus) + part portion — more at part

First Known Use: 15th century