The act of crowning with laurel; the act of conferring an academic degree, or honorary title.
Webster 1828 Edition
Laureation
LAUREA'TION
,
Noun.
The act of conferring a degree in the university, together with a wreath of laurel; an honor bestowed on those who excelled in writing verse. This was an ancient practice at Oxford, from which probably originated the denomination of poet laureate.