E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Challenging a Jury.
This may be to object to all the jurors from some informality in the way they have been “arrayed” or empanelled, or to one or more of the jurors, from some real or supposed disqualification or bias of judgment. The word “challenge” is Norman, and is exactly equivalent to “call out;” hence we say Captain A challenged or called out Captain B.
