initialise

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

initialise
    v 1: assign an initial value to a computer program [syn:
         {initialize}, {initialise}]
    2: divide (a disk) into marked sectors so that it may store
       data; "Please format this disk before entering data!" [syn:
       {format}, {initialize}, {initialise}]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

initialise \initialise\ v. t.
   initialize. [Chiefly Brit.]
   [PJC]

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

initialise

   <programming> To give a {variable} its first value.  This may
   be done automatically by some languages or it may require
   explicit code by the programmer.  Some languages allow
   initialisation to be combined with variable definition,
   e.g. in {C}:

   	int i = 0;

   Failing to initialise a variable before using it is a common
   programming error, but one which compilers and automatic
   checkers like {lint} can easily detect.

   (1997-06-08)