Purgation

Purgation, the clearing a man's self of a crime of which he was publicly suspected, and accused before a judge. It was either canonical, which was prescribed by the canon law, the form whereof, used in the spiritual court, was that the person suspected took his oath that he was clear of the fact objected against him, and brought this honest neighbours with him to make oath that they believed he swore truly; or vulgar, which was by fire or water ordeal, or by combat. See Jac. Law Dict.; 3 Bl. Com. 100.