incentive

 
Pronunciation: /ɪnˈsɛntɪv/

noun

  • a thing that motivates or encourages someone to do something: give farmers an incentive to improve their land
  • a payment or concession to stimulate greater output or investment: tax incentives for investing in depressed areas

Origin:

late Middle English: from Latin incentivum 'something that sets the tune or incites', from incantare 'to chant or charm'