noun
or nam ˈnäm
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English nām, from Old Norse, action of taking or seizing (attested only in compounds such as landnām act of taking possession of land), learning; akin to Old English nǣm action of taking, Old High German nāma robbery; derivative from the stem of Old Norse nema to take — more at nimble
1. early English law : distraint of chattels
2. early English law : things distrained