Origin: 1400–50; 1540–50 for def. 1;late Middle English (past participle) < Latin subrogātus (past participle of subrogāre to nominate (someone) as a substitute), equivalent to sub-sub- + rogā(re) to request + -tus past participle suffix
law the substitution of one person or thing for another, esp the placing of a surety who has paid the debt in the place of the creditor, entitling him to payment from the original debtor