What does "underwrite" mean?

Underwrite: To subscribe one's name to for insurance, especially for marine insurance; to write one's name under, or set one's name to, as a policy of insurance, for the purpose of becoming answerable for loss or damage, on consideration of receiving a certain premium per cent; as, individuals, as well as companies, may underwrite policies of insurance. B. Jonson. The broker who procures the insurance ought not, by underwriting the policy, to deprive the parties of his unbiased testimony. Marshall.