|pu̇rˌpär|lā, ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ˌ ̷ ̷ noun
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Middle French, from pourparler, v., to discuss with a view to reaching an agreement, from Old French, from pour for, before + parler to speak — more at purchase , parley
: a preliminary discussion especially in advance of the formulation of a treaty
was holding full-dress pourparlers in London — James Dugan