: the right in English law of presenting a nominee to a benefice
Word History
Etymology
Middle English avouweson, avouson, advowson, borrowed from Anglo-French avoueson "lordship, allegiance, right to nominate to a benefice," going back to Latin advocātiōn-, advocātiō "body of legal advisers, functions of an advocate," from advocāre "to summon, call to one's aid" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns — more at avow