BREAKING-BULK DOCTRINE

breaking-bulk doctrine.Hist. The rule that a bailee who had lawful possession of property delivered in bulk and wrongfully took the property committed larceny only if the bailee broke the container open and took part or all of the contents. • If the bailee wrongfully took the property without opening the container, the act was theft but not larceny. — Also termed breaking-bale doctrine.[Blacks Law 8th]