Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
PROMISE
I. noun
Etymology: Middle English promis, from Latin promissum, from neuter of promissus, past participle of promittere to send forth, promise, from pro- forth + mittere to send
Date: 15th century
1. a declaration that one will do or refrain from doing something specified, a legally binding declaration that gives the person to whom it is made a right to expect or to claim the performance or forbearance of a specified act, reason to expect something , something that is promised,
II. verb (promised; promising)
Date: 15th century
transitive verb to pledge to do, bring about, or provide , warrant , assure , betroth , to suggest beforehand ; give promise of , intransitive verb to make a promise, to give ground for expectation ; be imminent, promisee noun promisor also promiser noun