attorn

verb (used without object)

1. to acknowledge the relation of a tenant to a new landlord.

verb (used with object)

2. to turn over to another; transfer.

verb (intr)

1. law to acknowledge a new owner of land as one’s landlord
2. feudal history to transfer allegiance or do homage to a new lord

v.

late 13c., Anglo-French, “to turn over to another,” from Old French atorner “to turn, turn to, assign, attribute, dispose,” from a- “to” + tourner “to turn” (see turn (v.)). In feudal law, “to transfer homage or allegiance to another lord.”