Maritime Law. [App. formed after AF. floteson FLOTSAM: perh. originally f. WAIVE v.1, but associated with WAVE sb.] (See quot. 1701.) Also fig.
1526. in Kennett, Cowel’s Interpr. (1701), s.v., Waveson, Flotteson, Lagason & Wrecks & Regalia videl. Magnas pisces captas, &c.
1701. Kennett, ibid., Waveson, such Goods as after Shipwreck do appear swimming on the waves. [Whence 1706 in Phillips: and in later Dicts.]
1894. E. P. Evans, in Pop. Sci. Monthly, XLIV. 299. Persons of unknown origin were treated as waifs (épaves), the mere flotson and waveson on the drifting tide of humanity.
