/dee"euh dand'/ , n. Eng. Law.
(before 1846) an animal or article that, having been the immediate cause of the death of a human being, was forfeited to the crown to be applied to pious uses.
[ 1520-30; deodandum (a thing) to be given to God deo to God (dat. sing. of deus ) + dandum to be given (neut. ger. of dare to give) ]