per etymonline debitum is a conjugation of debere, 'to owe', potentially from de-habere, which basically means 'to take away'. habere may be from PIE *ghabh, to

per etymonline debitum is a conjugation of debere, 'to owe', potentially from de-habere, which basically means 'to take away'. habere may be from PIE *ghabh, to give or receive, possibly also the root of 'gavel'. ACLU claims many to most small claims cases are debt collection. This origin may be highly appropriate