v. & n. (also jerrymander)
v.tr. 1 manipulate the boundaries of (a constituency etc.) so as to give undue influence to some party or class. 2 manipulate (a situation etc.) to gain advantage.
n. this practice. gerrymanderer n.
[ the name of Governor Gerry of Massachusetts + (SALA)MANDER, from the shape of a district on a political map drawn when he was in office (1812) ]