Ŭn'der-wrīte'1, v. t.
(-rīt'), v. t. [imp. UNDERWROTE; p. p. UNDERWRITTEN; p. pr. & vb. n. UNDERWRITING.] [See WRITE.]
Sense 1. To write under something else; to subscribe. The change I have made I have here underwritten. Saunderson.
Sense 2. To subscribe one's name to for insurance; to set one's name to, as a policy of insurance, for the purpose of becoming answerable for loss or damage, for a certain premium per cent.; as, individuals underwrite policies of insurance, as well as companies.
The broker who procures insurance ought not, by underwriting the policy, to deprive the parties of his unbiased testimony. Marshall.