To give authority or permission is to?

The term that means to give authority or permission is "sanction." In a formal context, to sanction something involves granting approval or allowing an action to take place. This usage is often seen in legal, governmental, and institutional settings where consent or endorsement is required.

The option that suggests to rescind refers to the act of withdrawing or cancelling something, which is opposite to granting permission. Parody, on the other hand, involves imitating something, often humorously or satirically, and does not relate to authority or permission. Mollify means to soothe or calm someone’s feelings, which again does not connect to the idea of granting permission. Thus, "sanction" is the word that accurately fits the definition provided in the question.