[gage] n [ME, fr. MF, of Gmc origin; akin to OHG wetti pledge--more at wed] (14c) 1: a token of defiance; specif: a glove or cap cast on the ground to be taken up by an opponent as a pledge of combat
2: something deposited as a pledge of performance
[2]gage vt (15c) 1 archaic: pledge
2. archaic: stake, risk [3]gage var of gauge [4]gage n (1847): greengage