to give official recognition to; sanction; authorize
3.
to certify or guarantee as meeting required standards
4.
a. to furnish or send (an envoy, etc) with official credentials
b. to appoint (someone) as an envoy, etc
5.
(NZ) to pass (a candidate) for university entrance on school recommendation without external examination: there are six accrediting schools in the area
[C17: from French accréditer, from the phrase mettre à crédit to put to credit]
1610s, from Fr. accréditer, from à "to" + crédit "credit" (see credit). Pp. adj. accredited "furnished with credentials" is from 1630s. Related: Accreditation (1806).