Front money (4)
I believe the answer is:
ante
'front money' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is the entire clue.
(Other definitions for ante that I've seen before include "Money for poker" , "Stake (that may be upped?)" , "Each player's initial contribution to the pot" , "Stake; before (Lat.)" , "Pre-deal stake" .)