lit ‧ i ‧ gate /ˈlɪtəɡeɪt, ˈlɪtɪɡeɪt/ BrE AmE verb [intransitive and transitive]
[ Date: 1600-1700 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: past participle of litigare , from lis 'law case' + agere 'to drive' ]
law to take a claim or complaint against someone to a court of law