Law. Forms: 5 appro-, aprowe-, aprou-, 5–6 approwe-, approu(e), 7– approvement. [a. OFr. aproement, aprouement, aprowement, n. of process f. aproer: see APPROVE v.2]
1. The action of making one’s profit of, making the best of (e.g., land); hence, the conversion to his own profit, by the lord of the manor, of waste or common land by enclosure and appropriation. Cf. IMPROVEMENT.
1475. Bk. Noblesse, 64. Labouragis and approwementis of londes and pastures.
1482. Paston Lett., 863, III. 291. My lord is sette sore to approwement and husbondry.
1523. Fitzherb., Surv., 15 b. This newe approument maye fortune to encresce of rent or decrese.
1691. Blount, Law Dict., Approvement … is more particularly used for the enclosing part of a Common by the Lord of the Mannor, leaving sufficient nevertheless for the Commoners.
1883. Baggallay, Law Times Rep., 595/1. The onus probandi is on the commoners, and not on the lords, as in the case of approvement.
† 2. ‘Also used for the profits of the lands themselves. Crompton Jurisd. 152.’ Tomlins, Law Dict., 1809. So in OFr. ‘aprowement profit, bénéfice.’ Godefroy. Obs.
1489. Plumpton Corr., 88. Send me word what increse and approment ye wyll give.
