1. The bearing of stolen goods upon the back or about the person. • Backberend is sometimes modernized to backbearing.
2. A person caught carrying stolen goods. — Also spelled bacberende; backberinde. Cf. HANDHABEND.
“Backberinde signifieth bearing upon the Back, or about a Man. Bracton useth it for a Sign or Circumstance of Theft apparent, which the Civilians call Furtum manifestum….” Giles Jacob, A New Law-Dictionary (8th ed. 1762).