Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Earmark \Ear"mark`\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Earmarked}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Earmarking}.]
   To mark, as sheep, by cropping or slitting the ear.

Earmark \Ear"mark`\, n.
   1. A mark on the ear of sheep, oxen, dogs, etc., as by
      cropping or slitting.

   2. A mark for identification; a distinguishing mark.

            Money is said to have no earmark.     --Wharton.

            Flying, he [a slave] should be described by the
            rounding of his head, and his earmark. --Robynson
                                                  (More's
                                                  Utopia).

            A set of intellectual ideas . . . have earmarks upon
            them, no tokens of a particular proprietor.
                                                  --Burrow.

Source : WordNet®

earmark
     n 1: identification mark on the ear of a domestic animal
     2: a distinctive characteristic or attribute [syn: {hallmark},
        {trademark}, {stylemark}]
     v : give or assign a share of money or time to a particular
         person or cause; "I will earmark this money for your
         research" [syn: {allow}, {appropriate}, {set aside}, {reserve}]