prebend (n.)

in canon law, "a stated income derived from some fixed source," hence, especially, "a stipend allotted from the revenues of a cathedral or collegiate church for the performance of certain duties by someone," early 15c., from Old French prebende, earlier provende (12c.) and directly from Medieval Latin prebenda "allowance, portion of food and drink supplied," also "an ecclesiastical living," from Late Latin praebenda "allowance, pension," from Latin praebenda "(things) to be furnished," neuter plural gerundive of praebere "to furnish, offer," contraction of praehibere, from prae "before" (see pre-) + habere "to hold" (from PIE root *ghabh- "to give or receive"). A doublet of provender. Related: Prebendary; prebendal.