[ 'fɪlɪbʌstə ]
■ noun
1》 prolonged speaking or other action which obstructs progress in a legislative assembly while not technically contravening the required procedures.
2》 historical a person engaging in unauthorized warfare against a foreign state.
■ verb [often as noun ~ing ] obstruct legislation with a ~.
Origin
C18: from Fr. flibustier , first applied to pirates who pillaged the Spanish colonies in the West Indies, influenced by Sp. ~o , denoting American adventurers who incited revolution in Latin America; ult. from Du. vrijbuiter 'freebooter'.