from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
SE DEFENDENDO, criminal law. Defending himself.
2. Homicide, se defendendo, is that which takes place upon a sudden
rencounter, where two persons upon a sudden quarrel, without premeditation
or malice, fight upon equal terms, and one, before a mortal stroke has been
given, declines any further combat, and retreats as far as he can with
safety, and kills his adversary, through necessity, to avoid immediate
death. 2 Swift's Dig. 289 pamphl. Rep. of Selfridge's, Trial in, 1805 Hawk.
bk. 1, c. 11, s. 13; 2 Russ. on Cr. 543; Bac. Ab. Murder, &c F 2.