A writ which lay at the suit of the tenant for years against the lessor, reversioner , remainderman , or stranger who had himself deprived the tenant of the occupation of the land during his term. 3 Bl. Comm. 199. By a gradual extension of the scope of this form of action its object was made to include not only damages for the unlawful detainer , but also the possession for tUe remainder of the term, and eventually the possession of land generally. And, as it turned on the right of possession , this involved a determination of the right of property, or the title, and thus arose the modern action of ejectment.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
