• (n.) One against whom a fictitious action of fine was brought. • (n.) One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an estate.
De·for'ciant noun [ Old French deforciant , present participle of deforcier . See Deforce .] (Eng. Law) (a) One who keeps out of possession the rightful owner of an estate. (b) One against whom a fictitious action of fine was brought. [ Obsolete] Burril...
a person who deforces the rightful owner.