(before 1846) an animal or article that, having been the immediate cause of the death of a human being, was forfeited to the crown to be applied to pious uses.
Origin: 1520–30; < ML deōdandum (a thing) to be given to God < L deō to God (dat. sing. of deus) + dandum to be given (neut. ger. of dare to give)
1523, from Anglo-Fr. deodande (1292), from M.L. deodandum, from Deo dandum "a thing to be given to God." In Eng. law, "a personal chattel which, having been the immediate cause of the death of a person, was forfeited to the Crown to be applied to pious uses." Abolished 1846.
[dee-uh-dand] 
