hæfþ (OSw) hævth (ODan) noun

Derived from a verb meaning ‘to have’. Possession of, in particular, land. One who used land for cultivation, buildings etc. for a stipulated period, often three years, without being challenged, gained legal ownership. Occasionally appearing in phrases such as lagha hæfþ (OSw), laghhævth, ræt hæfth (ODan) ‘legal possession’. Also of sexual relations resulting in incest or paternity matters, but not rape.

acquisition OSw YVgL Add
consuetude OSw HL Blb
cultivation OSw UL Jb
custom OSw MESt Bb
intercourse OSw ÖgL Äb
lawful possession ODan ESjL 2
ODan SkL 82
OSw ÖgL Gb
possession ODan ESjL 1−3
ODan JyL 1−3
ODan SkL 37, 49, 53, 59, 72, 75, 76, 78, 80, 84, 135, 136, 141
ODan VSjL 1, 68, 76, 79, 80, 82, 83, 85
OSw KrL Jb
OSw ÖgL Kkb Bb
prescription OSw KrL Äb
OSw MEL Äb Jb
OSw MESt Äb
property ODan ESjL 2
sexual intercourse OSw KrL Äb
OSw SdmL Kkb
Expressions:

lagha iorþ hæfþ (OSw)

prescriptive right to land OSw MEL Jb

vminnis hæfþ (OSw)

held since time immemorial OSw MEL Jb

Refs:

Schlyter s.v. hæfþ; Tamm and Vogt, eds, 2016, 312