Earmark
Earmark (ēr"mark`) , noun
1.
A mark on the ear of sheep, oxen, dogs, etc., as by cropping or slitting.
2.
A mark for identification; a distinguishing mark.
Money is said to have no earmark.
Flying, he [a slave] should be described by the rounding of his head, and his earmark.
A set of intellectual ideas... have earmarks upon them, no tokens of a particular proprietor.
Earmark , transitive verb
1.
To mark, as sheep, by cropping or slitting the ear.
2.
To designate or reserve for a specific purpose; as, the alumni fund was earmarked for dormitory construction.