Encomienda
Black's Law Dictionary · Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910
Black's Law Dictionary
In Spanish law. A grant from the crown to a private person of a certain portion of territory in the Spanish colonies, together with the concession of a certain number of the native inhabitants, on the feudal principle of cemmendation.
2 Wools. Pol. Science, 161, 162.
Also a royal grant of privileges to the military orders of Spain.