The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Franchise \Fran"chise\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Franchised; p. pr.
   & vb. n. Franchising.] [Cf. OF. franchir to free, F., to
   cross.]
   To make free; to enfranchise; to give liberty to. --Shak.
   [1913 Webster]