Administer (5)
I believe the answer is:
apply
'administer' is the definition.
(I know that administer is a more specific form of the action apply)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for apply that I've seen before include "Use - ask (for)" , "Be relevant - seek job" , "Sue" , "Put (eg, paint) on" , "Ask for, a position perhaps" .)