foud

English

Etymology

From Old Norse fōgeti, cognate with German Vogt, from Latin vocatus, from vocare (“to call”). Doublet of Vogt.

Noun

foud (plural fouds)

1. (British, Shetland and Orkney) A bailiff or magistrate.
   • 1983, Paul Thompson, Tony Wailey, Trevor Lummis, History Workshop Series, Living the Fishing, Routledge & Kegan Paul:

     From the twelfth century Shetland had been administered directly by the Norwegian crown through the 'foud', rather than forming part of the patrimony of a great aristocratic estate. The foud appointed 'underfouds' and the Shetlands evolved their own elected officers, a 'lawman' and parish 'lawrightmen', who adjudicated and negotiated the collection of customary taxes and fines on behalf of the local population.

Derived terms

• underfoud

Anagrams

• douf