from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
TO ATTACH, crim. law, practice. To an attachment for contempt for the non-
take or apprehend by virtue of the order of a writ or precept, commonly
called an attachment. It differs from an arrest in this, that he who arrests
a man, takes him to a person of higher power to be disposed of; but be who
attaches, keeps the party attached, according to the exigency of his writ,
and brings him into court oh the day assigned. Kitch. 279; Bract. lib. 4;
Fleta, lib. 5, c. 24; 17 S. & R. 199.