approval

noun

the act of approving; approbation.
formal permission or sanction.
Philately. one of a group of selected stamps sent by a dealer to a prospective customer for examination and either purchase or return.

Idioms

on approval, without obligation to buy unless satisfactory to the customer upon trial or examination and, otherwise, returnable: We ship merchandise on approval.

noun

the act of approving
formal agreement; sanction
a favourable opinion; commendation
on approval (of articles for sale) for examination with an option to buy or return

1680s, from approve + -al (2). According to OED, “Rare bef. 1800; now generally used instead of” approvance (1590s, from French aprovance).

see on approval; seal of approval.