The Collaborative International Dictionary
mate's receipt
Shipping note \Ship"ping note\ (Com.) A document used in shipping goods by sea. In the case of free goods the shipping notes are the
receiving note, addressed by the shipper to the chief officer of the vessel, requesting him to receive on board specified goods, and a receipt for the mate to sign, on receiving whose signature it is called the
mate's receipt, and is surrendered by the shipper for the bills of lading.