What is "prest money"

Prest \Prest\, a. [OF. prest, F. pr[^e]t, fr. L. praestus ready. Cf. Presto.]

1. Ready; prompt; prepared. [Obs.]

   All prest to such battle he was.
   --R. of Gloucester.

2. Neat; tidy; proper. [Obs.]
   --Tusser.

   Prest money, money formerly paid to men when they enlisted into the British service; -- so called because it bound those that received it to be ready for service when called upon.

n. (context historical English) Money paid to men when they enlisted into the British service; so called because it bound those that received it to be ready for service when called upon.