(in the Danelaw) a freeman enjoying extensive rights, esp over his land
sokeman in American English
(ˈsoukmən)
nounWord forms: plural-men
a tenant holding land in socage
Also: socman
Word origin
[1250–1300; ME (‹ AF) ‹ ML sokemannus ‹ OE sōcnsoke + manman1]This word is first recorded in the period 1250–1300. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: clear, drift, front, number, touch