An official commission from a government authorizing someone to seize the property or people of another nation; especially to attack merchant shipping of another nation.
an official <xref>commission</xref> from a <xref>government</xref> authorizing someone to <xref>seize</xref> the <xref>property</xref> or <xref>people</xref> of another <xref>nation</xref>; especially to <xref>attack</xref> merchant shipping of another nation