Illegal enclosure of another's land; this included encroaching upon another's land and using it illegally. The word was used of raising fences to keep animals from cropland, such animals being of the *forest and the king's sport. Bracton also says, 'he who occupies [land], by exceeding the limits and boundaries of his land, is said to have committed a purpresture upon the king'. [< OldFr. porprendre = to usurp, occupy < Lat. praehendo = to take possession, to occupy] -
Cf. Disseisin
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.