NOUN (1)

1. funds advanced to a prospector or to someone starting a business in return for a share of the profits;


VERB (1)

1. supply with funds in return for a promised share of profits;

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

grubstake
    n 1: funds advanced to a prospector or to someone starting a
         business in return for a share of the profits
    v 1: supply with funds in return for a promised share of profits

Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0:

26 Moby Thesaurus words for "grubstake":
   angel, back, backing, bankroll, capitalization, capitalize,
   deficit financing, finance, financial backing, financial support,
   financing, fund, funding, patronization, patronize, pay for,
   provide for, provision of capital, refinance, set up, sponsor,
   sponsorship, stake, subsidize, subsidy, support