from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
IMPEACHMENT OF WASTE. It signifies a restraint from committing waste upon
lands or tenements; or a demand of compensation for waste done by a tenant
who has but a particular estate in the land granted, and, therefore, no
right to commit waste.
2. All tenants for life, or any less estate, are liable to be impeached
for waste, unless they hold without impeachment of waste; in the latter
case, they may commit waste without being questioned, or any demand for
compensation for the waste done. 11 Co. 82.