corvee Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun unpaid labor (as for the maintenance of roads) required by a lord of his vassals in lieu of taxes

WordNet

Cor`vee" noun
Etymology
F. corvée, fr. LL. corvada, corrogata, fr. L. corrogare to entreat togetther; cor- + rogare to ask.
Definitions
  1. (Feudal Law) An obligation to perform certain services, as the repair of roads, for the lord or sovereign.

Webster 1913