AVOWRY, in Law, is where one takes a distress for rent or other thing; and the other sues replevin. In which case the taker shall justify, in his plea, for what cause he took it: And if he took it in his own right, is to show it, and so avow the taking; which is called his avowry. If he took it in the right of another, when he has showed the cause, he is to make conusance of the taking, as being a bailiff or servant to him in whose right he did it. See DISTRESS, etc.
