Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - advocate

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English advocat, from Anglo-French, from Latin advocatus, from past participle of advocare to summon, from ad- + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at voice  Date: 14th century  1. one that pleads the cause of another; specifically one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court  2. one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal  3. one that supports or promotes the interests of another  II. transitive verb  (-cated; -cating)  Date: 1599 to plead in favor of  Synonyms: see support  • advocation noun  • advocative adjective  • advocator noun