1) An administrative division of Sussex - Arundel, Bramber, Chichester, Hastings, Lewes, Pevensey - each of which comprised several hundreds. [< OldEngl. rap = rope; land was defined by being roped off] -
2) Orig. the taking of a person or thing by force; if a woman was taken, the word did not necessarily imply sexual assault (which was a capital offence). The word was also used of elopement. [< AnNor. raper < Lat. rapio = to take by force]
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.