Fil"i*bus`ter (?), n. [Sp. flibuster, flibustero, corrupted fr. E. freebooter. See Freebooter.]

A lawless military adventurer, especially one in quest of plunder; a freebooter; -- originally applied to buccaneers infesting the Spanish American coasts, but introduced into common English to designate the followers of Lopez in his expedition to Cuba in 1851, and those of Walker in his expedition to Nicaragua, in 1855.

 

© Webster 1913.


Fil"i*bus*ter, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Fillibustered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Filibustering.]

1.

To act as a filibuster, or military freebooter.

Bartlett.

2.

To delay legislation, by dilatory motions or other artifices.

[political cant or slang, U.S.]

Bartlett.

 

© Webster 1913.