Indentures were originally duplicates, laid together and indented by a
notched cut or line, or else written on the same piece of parchment and
separated by a notched line so that the two papers or parchments
corresponded to each other. But indenting has gradually become a mere
form, and is often neglected, while the writings or counterparts retain
the name of indentures.
In*den"ture, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Indentured (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Indenturing.]