\Quo" war*ran"to\ [So called from the Law L. words
quo warranto (by what authority), in the original Latin form
of the writ. See {Which}, and {Warrant}.] (Law)
A writ brought before a proper tribunal, to inquire by what
warrant a person or a corporation acts, or exercises certain
powers. --Blackstone.

Note: An information in the nature of a quo warranto is now
      common as a substitute for the writ. --Wharton.