Afforestation, the turning ground into forest. The Conqueror, and his successors, continued afforesting the lands of the subject for many reigns; till the grievance became so notorious, that the people of all degrees and denominations were brought to sue for relief; which was at length obtained, and commissions were granted to survey and perambulate the forest, and separate all the new afforested lands, and re-convert them to the uses of their proprietors, under the name and quality of purlieu or pouralle land.