countersign vs sanction

countersign

verb
  • To add a second signature to a document, affirming the validity of the signature of another person. 

  • To sign on the opposite side of (a document). 

noun
  • A second signature added to a document to affirm the validity of the signature of the first person. 

  • The response to a sign or signal. 

sanction

verb
  • To ratify; to make valid. 

  • To penalize (a state etc.) with sanctions. 

  • To give official authorization or approval to; to countenance. 

noun
  • An approval, by an authority, generally one that makes something valid. 

  • A penalty, punishment, or some coercive measure, intended to ensure compliance; especially one adopted by several nations, or by an international body. 

  • A law, treaty, or contract, or a clause within a law, treaty, or contract, specifying any of the above. 

How often have the words countersign and sanction occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )