The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

deserve \de*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), v. i.
   To be worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with well.
   [1913 Webster]

         One man may merit or deserve of another. --South.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Deserve \De*serve"\ (d[-e]*z[~e]rv"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
   Deserved; p. pr. & vb. n. Deserving.] [OF. deservir,
   desservir, to merit, L. deservire to serve zealously, be
   devoted to; de- + servire to serve. See Serve.]
   1. To earn by service; to be worthy of (something due, either
      good or evil); to merit; to be entitled to; as, the
      laborer deserves his wages; a work of value deserves
      praise.
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            God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity
            deserveth.                            --Job xi. 6.
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            John Gay deserved to be a favorite.   --Thackeray.
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            Encouragement is not held out to things that deserve
            reprehension.                         --Burke.
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   2. To serve; to treat; to benefit. [Obs.]
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            A man that hath
            So well deserved me.                  --Massinger.
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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

deserve
    v 1: be worthy or deserving; "You deserve a promotion after all
         the hard work you have done" [syn: deserve, merit]