Dictionary Definition

Probate

1.       (a) :  the action or process of proving before a competent judicial authority that a document offered for official recognition and registration as the last will and testament of a deceased person is genuine

(b) :  the judicial determination of the validity of a will

2.      :  the officially authenticated copy of a probated will

Origin of the word “Probate”

Probate means “to prove,” from the Latin verb “probare.”  In Middle English it took the form of the word “probat”, which is derived from Latin probatum, neuter of probatus, past participle of probare.  The first known use of Probate was in the 15^th century.[1]

 

Sources

1.      http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/probate-faq-29135.html

2.      http://www.americanbar.org/groups/real_property_trust_estate/resources/estate_planning/the_probate_process.html

3.      http://statelaws.findlaw.com/washington-law/washington-probate-laws.html

4.      http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/washington-probate-an-overview.html

5.      http://estate.findlaw.com/probate/the-probate-basics.html