I. ˈfi-lə-ˌbəs-tər 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.
[ filibuster (II)]
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
II. verb
( -tered ; fil·i·bus·ter·ing -t(ə-)riŋ)
Date: 1851
intransitive verb
1. : to carry out insurrectionist activities in a foreign country
2. : to engage in a filibuster
transitive verb
: to subject to a filibuster
• fil·i·bus·ter·er -tər-ər noun