Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DE-BEN'TURE, n. [Fr. from L. debeo, to owe. Class Db.]

1. A writing acknowledging a debt; a writing or certificate signed by a public officer, as evidence of a debt due to some person. This paper, given by an officer of the customs, entitles a merchant exporting goods, to the receipt of a bounty, or a drawback of duties. When issued by a treasurer, it entitles the holder to a sum of money from the state.
2. In the customs, a certificate of drawback; a writing which states that a person is entitled to a certain sum from the government, on the exportation of specified goods, the duties on which had been paid.