The Collaborative International Dictionary
Replevin \Re*plev"in\, v. t. (Law) To replevy.
Replevin \Re*plev"in\ (-?n), n. [LL. replevina. See Replevy, and cf. Plevin.]
(Law) A personal action which lies to recover possession of goods and chattle wrongfully taken or detained. Originally, it was a remedy peculiar to cases for wrongful distress, but it may generally now be brought in all cases of wrongful taking or detention.
--Bouvier.The writ by which goods and chattels are replevied.
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
"recovery of goods (by someone) taken from him, upon posting of security," mid-15c., from Anglo-French replevin (14c.) and Anglo-Latin (13c.) replevina, from Old French replevir (v.) "to pledge, protect, warrant," from re- "back, again" (see re-) + plevir, of uncertain origin; perhaps related to pledge (v.). The corresponding verb is replevy (1550s).
Wiktionary
n. (context legal English) An action to recover personal property unlawfully taken; the writ or procedure of such action. vb. (context transitive English) To replevy
Wikipedia
Replevin or claim and delivery (sometimes called revendication) is a lawsuit that enables a person to get back personal property taken wrongfully or unlawfully and get compensation for resulting losses.
Usage examples of "replevin".
Using a copy machine in the corner, she made a copy of the petition for a Writ of Replevin and the ruling.
I also understand your wish to contain the knowledge of your late wife’s unfortunate association with the Prince of Darkness, but I must in good faith advise you to forebear petitioning the Governor for a Writ of Replevin in regards to the conclusive evidence used to convict your aforesaid wife of abominable witchcraft.
Also, it was a matter of notoriety that a writ of replevin to take the fugitive out of the custody of the United States Marshal could not be served for want of sufficient force to aid the officer.
But all these operations proposed by the overseer entailed complicated legal proceedings, replevins, permits, licenses, and so forth, so that Pierre quite lost his wits, and merely said, "Yes, yes, do so, then.