Definition of "grub-stake" [grub-stake]

• The outfit, provisions, etc., furnished to a prospector on condition of participating in the profits of any find he may make; a layout. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "Most significant of all, perhaps, in this connection, was the custom of the old days, that when August the first came around, the prospectors who had failed to locate "pay dirt" were permitted to go upon the ground of their more fortunate comrades and take out enough for the next year's grub-stake."
• "Told him to consider it in the light of a grub-stake."
• "The cold weather had come on with the long nights, and the sun had begun to play his ancient game of peekaboo along the southern snow-line ere aught was heard of Malemute Kid's grub-stake."