[ ɪs'tʃi:t , ɛs- ]
chiefly historical
■ noun the reversion of property to the state, or (in feudal law) to a lord, on the owner's dying without legal heirs.
■ verb revert or cause to be reverted as an ~.
Origin
ME: from OFr. eschete , based on L. excidere 'fall away', from ex- 'out of, from' + cadere 'to fall'.