locus desperatus
/ˌləʊkəs ˌdɛspəˈrɑːtəs/ /ˌlɒkəs ˌdɛspəˈreɪtəs/noun
A corrupted passage, especially one in an ancient text, which defies interpretation.
Origin
Early 18th century; earliest use found in Lewis Theobald (d. 1744), literary editor and writer. From post-classical Latin locus desperatus from classical Latin locus + dēspērātus.