Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
MANDATE
I. noun see: manual
Date: 1501
an authoritative command, an authorization to act given to a representative ,
3. an order or commission granted by the League of Nations to a member nation for the establishment of a responsible government over a former German colony or other conquered territory, a mandated territory,
II. transitive verb (mandated; mandating)
Date: 1919
to administer or assign (as a territory) under a mandate, to make mandatory ; order