Earmark

[eer-mahrk] /ˈɪərˌmɑrk/

noun
1.
any identifying or distinguishing or characteristic:
The mayor’s statement had all the earmarks of dirty politics.
2.
a mark of identification made on the of an animal to show ownership.
3.
a provision in a piece of Congressional legislation that directs specified federal funds to specific projects, programs, organizations, or individuals:
Lawmakers requested almost 40,000 earmarks worth more than $100 billion directed to their home districts and states.
Compare .
verb (used with object)
4.
to set aside for a specific purpose, use, recipient, etc.:
to earmark goods for export.
5.
to mark with an earmark.
/ˈɪəˌmɑːk/
verb (transitive)
1.
to set aside or mark out for a specific purpose
2.
to make an identification mark on the ear of (a domestic animal)
noun
3.
a mark of identification on the ear of a domestic animal
4.
any distinguishing mark or characteristic
n.

late 15c., from ear (n.1) + mark (n.1). Originally a cut or mark in the ear of sheep and cattle, serving as a sign of ownership (also a punishment of certain criminals); first recorded 1570s in figurative sense “stamp of ownership.”
v.

1590s, “to identify by an earmark,” from earmark (n.). Meaning “to set aside money for a special purpose” is attested by 1868. Related: Earmarked; earmarking.