approbation.-a confession of guilt by a prisoner charged with treason or felony, together with an accusation of his accomplish and a giving evidence against them in order to obtain his own pardon. the term is no longer in use; it corresponded to what is now known as turning king's (or queen's) evidence in england, and state's evidence in the united states.-improvement of common lands, by inclosing and converting them to the uses of husbandry for the advantage of the lord of the manor.