A sum of money paid at the end of something, e.g. a set period of time, like the end of a lease, or on the death of the holder of land. Then the best beast might be paid to the lord with something to the incumbent priest, over and above regular payments. Later, a fine was paid by the incoming tenant. (The phrase 'in fine' with the sense of 'in the end' continues the sense.) [< OldFr. fin < Lat. finis = end] -
Cf. Fine Rolls
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.