In old English law. Strictly, an accomplice in felony who to save himself confessed the fact, and charged or accused any other as principal or accessory, against whom he was bound to moke good his charge. It also signified an approver, or one who undertakes to prove a crime charg-ed upon another. Jacob. See State v. Graham, 41 N. J. Law, 16, 32 Am. Rep. 174
Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
