[de.ba.cle] n [F debacle, fr. debacler to clear, fr. MF desbacler, fr. des- de- + bacler to block, perh. fr. (assumed) VL bacculare, fr. L baculum staff] (1802) 1: a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river
2: a violent disruption (as of an army): rout 3 a: a great disaster b: a complete failure: fiasco