decretal

noun

de·​cre·​tal di-ˈkrē-tᵊl 

ˈde-kri-tᵊl

: decree

especially : a papal letter giving an authoritative decision on a point of canon law

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Late Latin decretalis of a decree, from Latin decretum decree

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above