OIC
That's language used to stop your descent at an altitude above the published one. As in "except maintain 8000". So you'll DV and maintain 8000 instead of continuing the descent below 8000 via the profile.
Here are FAA FAQs regarding climb/descend via clearances. Our airline used this when the procedures were implemented, there might be a more up to date version.
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/...nd_via_faq.pdf