earmark

A mark made or tag attached to the ear of an animal (chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership, health or gestation status, etc.

• Some mark them [sheep] vvith Raddle and make Ear-marks.

A distinguishing or identifying mark or sign; specifically (archaic), a mark of ownership.figuratively

• [H]e ſhoulde be dyſcryued by hys rounding and his eare marke: […]
• Mr. Bayes, many as proper a man as your ſelf march'd up Holborn for diſtinguiſhing betvvixt the VVealth and the Fanatick: and moreover let me tell you, Fanatick Money hath no Ear-mark.

An act of designating certain funds to be used for a specific purpose.figuratively

Specifically, a designation by the Congress that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project.USfiguratively

To make a mark or attach a tag to the ear of (an animal, chiefly a livestock animal), generally to identify or indicate something about the animal, such as ownership.transitive

To put a distinguishing or identifying mark or sign on (something); to make (something) distinctive or identifiable.figurativelytransitive

To designate or set aside (someone or something) for a particular purpose; to allocate.figurativelytransitive

• In barely a decade, the War on Drugs went from being a political slogan to an actual war. Now that police departments were suddenly flush with cash and military equipment earmarked for the drug war, they needed to make use of their new reso
• But even I draw the line at "doing crunches" in designer clothes. Fashion sneakers are for swanking around the shops, not for running in. And so, like everyone else, I wear grotty old tracksuits earmarked for Oxfam, and tragic free festival

Chiefly followed by for: to designate (certain funds) to be used for a specific purpose.figurativelytransitive

• You can donate to the organization as a whole, or you can earmark your contribution for a particular project.

Chiefly followed by for: to designate (certain funds) to be used for a specific purpose.; To designate (part of a pension) to be payable to the holder's former spouse or payment when the pension is paid.UKfigurativelytransitive

Chiefly followed by for: to designate (certain funds) to be used for a specific purpose.; Of the Congress: to designate that certain federal funds be appropriated for a specific project.USfigurativelytransitive