A writ that lay where a man had a day in any action to appear in proper person, and the king at that day. or before, employed him in some service, so that he could not appear at the day in court . It was directed to the justices, that they should not record him to be in default for his not appearing. Fitzh. Nat Brev. 17, A; Termes de la Ley .
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
