Main Entry: bar·ra·try

Pronunciation: \ˈber-ə-trē, ˈba-rə-\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural bar·ra·tries

Etymology: Middle English (Scots) barratrie, from Anglo-French *baraterie, literally, deception, from Old French barater to be active, do business, cause strife, deceive, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *prattare, from Greek prattein, prassein to do — more at practical

Date: 15th century

1 : the purchase or sale of office or preferment in church or state
2 : an unlawful act or fraudulent breach of duty by a master of a ship or by the mariners to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo
3 : the persistent incitement of litigation