n. [ Corrupted (by influence of lieu place) fr. OF. puralée, poralée (equiv. to LL. perambulatio a survey of boundaries, originally, a going through); por (L. pro, confused, however, with L. per through) + alée. See Pro-, and Alley. ] [ Written also pourlieu. ] 1. Originally, the ground near a royal forest, which, having been unlawfully added to the forest, was afterwards severed from it, and disafforested so as to remit to the former owners their rights. [ 1913 Webster ]

Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spied
In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Hence, the outer portion of any place; an adjacent district; environs; neighborhood. “The purlieus of St. James.” [ 1913 Webster ]

brokers had been incessantly plying for custom in the purlieus of the court. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]