As described in TheSoulOfaNewMachine, the act of a member of a team making an informal but significant commitment to the successful completion of a major project.
From the book: By signing up for the project you agreed to do whatever was necessary for success. You agreed to forsake, if necessary, family, hobbies, and friends - if you had any of these left (and you might not if you had signed up too many times before).
Perhaps an extreme form of "owning" a task.
See also: TakeResponsibility, PlaySoldier