NOUN (1)

1. funds advanced to a prospector or to someone starting a business in return for a share of the profits;


VERB (1)

1. supply with funds in return for a promised share of profits;

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

grubstake
    n 1: funds advanced to a prospector or to someone starting a
         business in return for a share of the profits
    v 1: supply with funds in return for a promised share of profits