n. & v.
--n.
1. a the obstruction of progress in a legislative assembly, esp. by prolonged speaking. b esp. US a person who engages in a filibuster.
2 esp. hist. a person engaging in unauthorized warfare against a foreign State.
--v.
1. intr. act as a filibuster.
2 tr. act in this way against (a motion etc.).
Derivatives:
filibusterer n.
Etymology: ult. f. Du. vrijbuiter FREEBOOTER, infl. by F flibustier, Sp. filibustero