from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Bote \Bote\, n. [Old form of boot; -- used in composition. See
1st {Boot}.] (Law)
(a) Compensation; amends; satisfaction; expiation; as, man
bote, a compensation or a man slain.
(b) Payment of any kind. --Bouvier.
(c) A privilege or allowance of necessaries.
[1913 Webster]
Note: This word is still used in composition as equivalent to
the French estovers, supplies, necessaries; as,
housebote, a sufficiency of wood to repair a house, or
for fuel, sometimes called firebote; so plowbote,
cartbote, wood for making or repairing instruments of
husbandry; haybote or hedgebote, wood for hedges,
fences, etc. These were privileges enjoyed by tenants
under the feudal system. --Burrill. --Bouvier.
--Blackstone.
[1913 Webster]
from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
BOTE, contracts A recompense, satisfaction, amends, profit or advantage :
hence came the word man-bote, denoting a compensation for a man slain;
house-bote, cart-bote, plough-bote, signify that a tenant is privileged to
cut wood for these uses. 2 Bl. Com. 35; Woodf. L. & T. 232.