term:

Delegate

delegate n

[Medieval Latin delegatus, from Latin, past participle of delegare to appoint, put in charge]
: a person empowered to act on behalf of another: as
a : a person who is authorized to perform another's duties under a contract
b : a representative to a convention (as of a political party) or conference
c : a representative of a U.S. territory in the House of Representatives
d : a member of the lower house of the legislature of Maryland, Virginia, or West Virginia
[de-li-gāt] vb -gat·ed
-gat·ing
vt
1 : to entrust or transfer (as power, authority, or responsibility) to another: as
a : to transfer (one's contractual duties) to another
b : to empower a body (as an administrative agency) to perform (a governmental function) see also nondelegation doctrine
2 : to appoint as one's representative
vi
: to transfer responsibility or authority

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.