What is "deforce"

Deforce \De*force"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Deforced; p. pr. & vb. n. Deforcing.] [OF. deforcier; de- or des- (L. de or dis-) + forcier, F. forcer. See Force, v.] (Law)

1. To keep from the rightful owner; to withhold wrongfully the possession of, as of lands or a freehold.

2. (Scots Law) To resist the execution of the law; to oppose by force, as an officer in the execution of his duty.
   --Burrill.

vb. (context legal transitive English) To withhold land unlawfully from its true owner or from any other person who has a right to the possession of it, after one has lawfully entered and taken possession of it.

Deforce is a legal term, meaning to unlawfully withhold land from its true owner or from any other person who has a right to the possession of it, after one has lawfully entered and taken possession of it. See e.g. 3 Bl Comm 172.

Likewise, deforcement is a broad term for the holding of real property to which another person has a right; used especially to denote keeping out of possession one who has never had possession. It is an abatement, an intrusion, a dissension, a discontinuance, or any other kind of wrong by which a person who has a right to the freehold is kept out of possession. See 3 Bl Comm 172; detention of dower from a widow. Authority: 25 Am J2d Dow § 1860.