essoign

CIDE DICTIONARY

essoign, n. [OF. essoine, essoigne, F. exoine, L. essonia, exonia; pref. ex- (L. ex from) + sunnis, sunnia, sonia, hindrance, excuse. Cf. Icel. syn refusal, synja to deny, refuse, Goth. sunja truth, sunj to justify, OS. sunnea impediment, OHG. sunna.].

•  An excuse for not appearing in court at the return of process; the allegation of an excuse to the court.  [1913 Webster]
•  Excuse; exemption.  [1913 Webster]

  "From every work he challenged essoin."  [1913 Webster]

Essoin day (Eng. Law), the first general return day of the term, on which the court sits to receive essoins. Blackstone.