from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
GENERAL TRAVERSE, pleading. One preceded by a general inducement, and
denying, in general terms, all that is last before alleged on the opposite
side, instead of pursuing the words of the allegations, which it denies.
Gould on Pl. vii. 5, 6.
2. Of this sort of traverse, the replication de injuria sua propria,
absque tali causa, in answer to a justification, is a familiar example. Bac.
Ab. Pleas, H 1 Steph. Pl. 171; Gould, Pl. c. 7, Sec. 5 Archb. Civ. Pl. 194.
Vide T?-averse; Special Traverse.