[ 'barətri ]
■ noun
1》 archaic fraud or gross negligence on the part of a ship's master or crew at the expense of its owners or users.
2》 Law vexatious litigation or incitement to it.
3》 historical trade in the sale of Church or state appointments.
Derivatives
barrator noun
barratrous adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. baraterie , from barater 'deceive', based on Gk prattein 'do, perform, manage'.