Legal Definitions - deodand

A deodand is something, such as an animal or object, that has caused harm or death and must be forfeited to the Crown. This practice was abolished in 1846.

For example, if a drunken carter was crushed beneath the wheels of his cart, the cart, the cask of wine that was in it, and the oxen that were drawing it would all be considered deodands. In another example, if a stack of timber fell on a child, the timber would be declared a deodand and forfeited to the Crown.

These examples illustrate how in the past, anything that was involved in an accident resulting in harm or death was considered guilty and forfeited to the Crown as a deodand, regardless of whether or not it was actually at fault.