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.