[ 'nɛpətɪz(ə)m ]
■ noun the favouring of relatives or friends, especially by giving them jobs.
Derivatives
nepotist noun
nepotistic adjective
Origin
C17: from Fr. népotisme , from Ital. ~o , from nipote 'nephew' (with ref. to privileges bestowed on the ‘nephews’ of popes, often really their illegitimate sons).