— forestaller , n. — forestallment, forestalment , n.
/fohr stawl", fawr-/ , v.t.
1. to prevent, hinder, or thwart by action in advance: to forestall a riot by deploying police.
2. to act beforehand with or get ahead of; anticipate.
3. to buy up (goods) in advance in order to increase the price when resold.
4. to prevent sales at (a fair, market, etc.) by buying up or diverting goods.
[ 1350-1400; ME forstallen, v. deriv. of forstalle, OE foresteall intervention (to defeat justice), waylaying. See FORE-, STALL 2 ]
Syn. 1. preclude, obviate, intercept, obstruct. 2. prevent, avert.