Bread-Bakers v102.n022.17

I enjoy baking and at present I am really trying to bake home made French 
and Italian bread and rolls.  The recipe calls for "MALT" and I don't know 
what this is.  And what the purpose is to use it.  I would appreciate any 
info on what to get and the purpose for using malt.

Thank you,
Gene

P. S, where can I purchase the malt that I need?