n.
Pronunciation: ' fi-l ə - ˌ b ə s-t ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Spanish filibustero, literally, freebooter
Date: 1851
1 : an irregular military adventurer specifically : an American engaged in fomenting insurrections in Latin America in the mid-19th century
2 [ 2 filibuster ] a : the use of extreme dilatory tactics in an attempt to delay or prevent action especially in a legislative assembly b : an instance of this practice