Endeavour, en-dev'-ur, s

exertion of one's ability, physical or intellectual, toward the attainment of an object; effort; exertion: v.n. to make endeavour or exertion for the accomplishment of an object: v.a. to make an attempt to gain; to try to effect or achieve (Fr. en, to do, devoir, duty or what one ought, from L. debeo, to owe).