POT-DE-VIN

1 definition found

From Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856) [bouvier]:

  POT-DE-VIN, French law. A sum of money frequently paid, at the moment of 
  entering into a contract, beyond the price agreed upon. 
       2. It differs from arrha, (q.v.) in this, that it is no part of the 
  price of the thing sold, and, that the person who has received it, cannot by 
  returning double the amount, or the other party by losing what he has paid, 
  rescind the contract. 18 Toull. n. 52.