patronage (n.)

late 14c., "right of presenting a qualified person to a church benefice," from Old French patronage (14c.) from patron "patron, protector" (see patron) and directly from Medieval Latin patronagium. Secular sense of "action of giving influential support; aid offered by a patron or patrons" is from 1550s. General sense of "power to give jobs or favors, control of appointments to positions in public service," is from 1769; meaning "regular business of customers" is by 1804.