A more thorough explanation:

Definition: In the past, when a shipwreck or other property was found abandoned, it could be taken without needing to go through the legal system.

Example: If a ship crashed on the shore and the crew was nowhere to be found, anyone who found the wreckage could claim it as their own without having to go to court.

This term is not commonly used today, but it was once an important part of maritime law. It allowed people to claim abandoned property without having to wait for a legal decision, which could take a long time. However, it also meant that some people could take advantage of the system and claim property that wasn't really abandoned.