purveyance

 
Pronunciation: /pəˈveɪəns/

noun

[mass noun] formal
  • the action of purveying something.
  • British historical the right of the sovereign to buy provisions and use horses and vehicles for a fixed price lower than the market value.

Origin:

Middle English (in the senses 'foresight' and 'prearrangement'): from Old French porveance, from Latin providentia 'foresight' (see providence)