I. ˈkwȯ(r)-tər-ˌbak noun
Date: 1879
1. : an offensive back in football who usually lines up behind the center, calls the signals, and directs the offensive play of the team
2. : one who directs and leads
II. verb
Date: 1944
transitive verb
1. : to direct the offensive play of (as a football team)
2. : to give executive direction to : boss
quarterback ed the original buying syndicate — Time
intransitive verb
: to play quarterback