Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - probate

 I. noun  Etymology: Middle English probat, from Latin probatum, neuter of probatus, past participle of probare  Date: 15th century  1.  a. the action or process of proving before a competent judicial authority that a document offered for official recognition and registration as the last will and testament of a deceased person is genuine  b. the judicial determination of the validity of a will  2. the officially authenticated copy of a ~d will  II. transitive verb  (~d; probating)  Date: 1570  1. to establish (a will) by ~ as genuine and valid  2. to put (a convicted offender) on probation