The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Crimination \Crim`i*na"tion\ (kr?m`?-n?"sh?n), n. [L.
criminatio.]
The act of accusing; accusation; charge; complaint.
[1913 Webster]
The criminations and recriminations of the adverse
parties. --Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):
CRIMINATION. The act by which a party accused, is proved to be guilty.
2. It is a rule, founded in common sense, that no one is bound to
criminate himself. A witness may refuse to answer a question, when the
answer would criminate him, and subject him to punishment. And a party in
equity is not bound to answer a bill, when the answer would form a step in
the prosecution. Coop. Eq. Pl. 204; Mitf. Eq. Pl. by Jeremy, 194; Story,
Eq,. Pl. Sec. 591; 14 Ves. 59.