-ˈsərb(ə)rəs
Usage: usually capitalized C
Etymology: after Cerberus, 3-headed dog guarding the entrance to Hades; from the sop given him by Aeneas in Vergil's Aeneid (6,417) to engage his attention while Aeneas slipped by — more at cerberus
: a concession or bribe to conciliate a person otherwise liable to be troublesome