n. & v.
--n.
1. a curved flat hardwood missile used by Australian Aboriginals to kill prey, and often of a kind able to return in flight to the thrower.
2 a plan or scheme that recoils on its originator.
--v.intr.
1. act as a boomerang.
2 (of a plan or action) backfire.
Etymology: Aboriginal name, perh. modified