in·ter·plead /ˌin-tər-'plēd/ vb [Anglo-French enterpleder, from enter- between, among + pleder to plead, from Old French plaidier]
vt: to bring (adverse claimants) into court by interpleader
the defendants can interplead injured stock purchasers if they fear the latter may have a superior claim...to the agents' illicit profits — R. C. Clark compare implead, intervene
vi: to go to trial with each other in order to settle adverse claims to property held by or an obligation owed by a third party (as an insurance company)
may be joined as defendants and required to interplead when their claims are such that the plaintiff is or may be exposed to double or multiple liability — Official Code of Georgia Annotated
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.