noun, masculine/kɔ.mɑ̃.di.tɛʁ/plural: commanditaires
a sponsor; a silent partner, a sleeping partner; principal, instigator, employer (person who orders a crime, person who hires someone to commit a crime in their stead)
“Near-synonym: donneur d'ordre”
Synonyms: bailleur de fonds, donneur d'ordre
From commandite + -aire.