When a judge has a conversation with the attorneys on a matter which the jury and others should not hear, the judge asks the attorneys to approach the bench to gather near the judge so that they may speak out of earshot of the jury.
Law Dictionary – Alternative Legal Definition
In international law. The right of a ship of war, upon the high sea, to visit another vessel for the purpose of ascertaining the nationality of the latter. 1 Kent, Comm. 153, note.