The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Absque hoc \Abs"que hoc\ [L., without this.] (Law)
   The technical words of denial used in traversing what has
   been alleged, and is repeated.
   [1913 Webster]

Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

ABSQUE HOC, pleading. When the pleadings were in Latin these words were
employed in a traverse. Without this, that, (q.v.) are now used for the
same purpose.