A word used metaphorically for a share of a man's substance paid by way of tribute, toll, or tax, being derived from the French “failler," which signifies to cut a piece out of the whole. Cowell. See State v. Switzler, 143 Mo. 287, 45 S. W. 245, 40 L. R. A. 280,65 Am. St Rep. 653; Lake Shore, etc., R. Co. v. Grand Rapids, 102 Mich. 374, 60 N. W. 767, 20 L. R. A. 195
Source: Black's Law Dictionary 2nd Ed (1910)
