Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - recourse

 noun  Etymology: Middle English recours, from Anglo-French recurs, from Late Latin recursus, from Latin, act of running back, from recurrere to run back — more at recur  Date: 14th century  1.  a. a turning to someone or something for help or protection settled the matter without ~ to law  b. a source of help or strength ; resort had no ~ left  2. the right to demand payment from the maker or endorser of a negotiable instrument (as a check)