from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Soc \Soc\ (s[o^]k), n. [AS. s[=o]c the power of holding court,
sway, domain, properly, the right of investigating or
seeking; akin to E. sake, seek. {Sake}, {Seek}, and cf.
{Sac}, and {Soke}.] [Written also {sock}, and {soke}.]
1. (O. Eng. Law)
(a) The lord's power or privilege of holding a court in a
district, as in manor or lordship; jurisdiction of
causes, and the limits of that jurisdiction.
(b) Liberty or privilege of tenants excused from customary
burdens.
[1913 Webster]
2. An exclusive privilege formerly claimed by millers of
grinding all the corn used within the manor or township
which the mill stands. [Eng.]
[1913 Webster]
{Soc and sac} (O. Eng. Law), the full right of administering
justice in a manor or lordship.
[1913 Webster]