Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Gavelkind \Gav"el*kind`\, n. [OE. gavelkynde, gavelkende. See
   {Gavel} tribute, and {Kind}, n.] (O. Eng. Law)
   A tenure by which land descended from the father to all his
   sons in equal portions, and the land of a brother, dying
   without issue, descended equally to his brothers. It still
   prevails in the county of Kent. --Cowell.