Section 172 in The Indian Contract Act, 1872 172. ‘Pledge’, ‘pawnor’ and ‘pawnee’ defined.—The bailment of goods as security for payment of a debt or performance of a promise is called ‘pledge’. The bailor is in this case called the ‘pawnor’. The bailee is called ‘pawnee’. —The bailment of goods as security for payment of a debt or performance of a promise is called ‘pledge’. The bailor is in this case called the ‘pawnor’. The bailee is called ‘pawnee’."