Writs usually were executed by a *sheriff. However, in a *franchise or *manor having 'return of writs', the sheriff could not act. Rather a precept was sent to the *bailiff, who would execute the writ and then inform the sheriff. The sheriff, in turn, would then endorse the original writ, and return it to the first, issuing court. The Latin word used was retorna.
Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases. Christopher Coredon with Ann Williams.