Vickipedia

POUND, in English -Law, means an enclosure, or which then was generally one in every parish, or at least every manor, ii Which stray cattle were put and detained until the damage done by them was paid for. Whenever a stranger’s or neighbor’s cattle trespass on another’s lands, the latter can seize them, am take them to the pound, or impound them, as it is called, damage feasant, and can keep them there till the expenses are repaid There was a distinction between pound overt, or common. pound, and pound covert, or close pound; in the former case, the owner of the beasts could go and feed and water his cattle while impounded, and it was his duty to do so; but not in the latter case. Now, it is compulsory for the impounder, in all cases, to supply the cattle with food, otherwise he incurs a penalty; and if impounded cattle are not sufficiently fed, a stranger who feeds them may not only trespass on lands to do so, but can recover the costs from the owner of the beasts, This was formerly an important head of law, and it is not obsolete, for the power to impound stray cattle still exists, though common pounds are disappearing-, for, in point of law, they art not necessary, since the impounder can put the cattle in his own stable or field.