Cumshaw and baksheesh may be used as bribes, but the word bribe itself meant
a small gift that became a euphemism for a cecret substantial gift:
bribe
n.
ME < OFr, morsel of bread given to beggars < briber, to beg
1 anything, esp. money, given or promised to induce a person to do something illegal or wrong
2 anything given or promised to induce a person to do something against his or her wishes
vt.
bribed, brib4ing
1 to offer or give a bribe to
2 to get or influence by bribing
vi.
to give a bribe or bribes
brib4a[ble
adj.
brib$er
n.