Pūr'lieū, n.

(pūr/lū), n. [Fr. pur, pure, and lieu, place. See LIEU.] [Written also pourlieu.]

1. Originally, the ground near a royal forest, which, being severed from it, was made pure or free from the forest laws.
2. Hence, the outer portion of any place; environs. “The purlieus of St. James.” Swift.

Brokers had been incessantly plying for custom in the purlieus of the court. Macaulay. Purlieu-man, a man who has the care of a purlieu. Blackstone.