What term is used to describe a proposal made by one person to another to enter into a deal?

The term that describes a proposal made by one person to another to enter into a deal is "offer." In the context of contract law, an offer signifies the willingness of one party to enter into an agreement on specific terms, which, when accepted by the other party, can lead to a legally binding contract.

An offer serves as the starting point for negotiation and establishes the intent of the offering party to create an agreement. For an offer to be valid, it must be communicated clearly to the other party, and it should include specific terms about which the parties are negotiating, such as price, quantity, and timeframe.

The other terms relate to different stages or aspects of the agreement process. Acceptance refers to the agreement by the other party to the terms of the offer, while negotiation is the discussion that may occur before an offer is made or accepted, aiming to reach an agreement. A contract is the end result of the acceptance of the offer, signifying that both parties have agreed to the terms and are legally bound to them.