detinue
noun
det·i·nue ˈde-tᵊn-ˌ(y)ü 
1
: a common-law action for the recovery of a personal chattel wrongfully detained or of its value
2
: detention of something due
especially : the unlawful detention of a personal chattel from another
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Christopher Akpala, owner of the Uac Food Mart in the 900 block of Bennett Place in Harlem Park, filed the detinue — a legal claim to recover wrongfully seized property — in January, according to court records. 
Kevin Rector, baltimoresun.com, 15 Mar. 2018
Kevin Rector, baltimoresun.com, 15 Mar. 2018 Word History
Etymology
Middle English detenewe, from Anglo-French detenue detention, from feminine of detenu, past participle of detenir to detain
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Legal Definition
detinue
noun
det·i·nue ˈdet-ᵊn-ˌü, -ˌyü
: a common-law action for the recovery of personal property belonging to the plaintiff that is wrongfully detained by the defendant compare trover