Grassum

Grassum, in the law of Scotland, is a lump sum paid by persons who take a lease of landed property. 'Rent,' says Bell, 'is naturally periodical, but sometimes part is paid in anticipation in grassum. And so grassum is, when analysed, a proportion taken from each year's rent, and paid at once by anticipation, either to supply some necessity for ready money, or to disappoint some future possessor of the estate.' In England the words 'premium' in some cases, and 'fine' in others, mean the same thing.