Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - constitute

 transitive verb  (-tuted; -tuting)  Etymology: Middle English, from Latin constitutus, past participle of constituere to set up, ~, from com- + statuere to set — more at statute  Date: 15th century  1. to appoint to an office, function, or dignity  2. set up, establish: as  a. enact  b. found  c.  (1) to give due or lawful form to  (2) to legally process  3. make up, form, compose 12 months ~ a year high school dropouts who ~ a major problem in large city slums — J. B. Conant