I. ˈ ̷ ̷ˌhabənd adjective
or handhaving ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷
Etymology: handhabend from Middle English, from Old English handhabbend, from hand, hond hand + habbend, present participle of habben to have — more at hand , have
: having possession of stolen goods — used in Old English law of a thief caught with the loot
II. noun
or handhaving “
( -s )
: the jurisdiction to try a handhabend thief