from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
CARNALLY KNEW, pleadings. This is a technical phrase, essential in an
indictment to charge the defendant with the crime of rape; no other word or
circumlocution will answer the same purpose as these word's. Vide Ravished,
and Bac. Ab. Indictment, G 1; Com. Dig. Indictment, G 6; 1 Hale, 632; 3
Inst. 60; Co. Litt. 137; ) 1 Chit. Cr. Law, *243. It has been doubted
whether these words were indispensible. 1 East, P. C. 448. But it would be
unsafe to omit them.