from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Prisage \Pris"age\ (?; 48), n. [OF. prisage a praising, valuing,
taxing; cf. LL. prisagium prisage; or from F. prise a taking,
capture, prize. See {Prize}.] (O. Eng. Law)
(a) A right belonging to the crown of England, of taking two
tuns of wine from every ship importing twenty tuns or
more, -- one before and one behind the mast. By charter
of Edward I. butlerage was substituted for this.
--Blackstone.
(b) The share of merchandise taken as lawful prize at sea
which belongs to the king or admiral.
[1913 Webster]