What is "avowry"

Avowry \A*vow"ry\, n. [OE. avouerie protection, authority, OF. avouerie. See Avow to declare.]

1. An advocate; a patron; a patron saint. [Obs.]

   Let God alone be our avowry.
   --Latimer.

2. The act of the distrainer of goods, who, in an action of replevin, avows and justifies the taking in his own right.
   --Blackstone.

   Note: When an action of replevin is brought, the distrainer either makes avowry, that is, avours taking the distress in his own right, or the right of his wife, and states the reason if it, as for arrears of rent, damage done, or the like; or makes cognizance, that is, acknowledges the taking, but justifies in an another's right, as his bailiff or servant.

n. 1 The action of an advowee, advocate or patron 2 advocacy, patronage, protection 3 avowal

In law, avowry is where one takes a distress for rent or other thing, and the other sues replevin. In which case the taker shall justify, in his plea, for what cause he took it, and if he took it in his own right, is to show it, and so avow the taking—which is called his avowry. If he took it in the right of another, when he has shown the cause, he is to make conusance of the taking, as being a bailiff or servant to him in whose right he did it.