barratry

UK: /ˈbærətrɪ/ US: (bar′ə trē)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

bar•ra•try  (bar′ə trē), n. [Law.]

1. Law fraud by a master or crew at the expense of the owners of the ship or its cargo.
2. Law the offense of frequently exciting and stirring up lawsuits and quarrels.
3. the purchase or sale of ecclesiastical preferments or of offices of state.

Also, barretry. 

• Anglo-French, Middle French baraterie combat, fighting. See barrator, -ery
• late Middle English barratrie 1400–50

bar′ra•trous, adj. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

barratry, barretry / ˈbærətrɪ/ noun

1. (formerly) the vexatious stirring up of quarrels or bringing of lawsuits
2. a fraudulent practice committed by the master or crew of a ship to the prejudice of the owner or charterer
3. the purchase or sale of public or Church offices

Etymology: 15th Century: from Old French baraterie deception, from barater to barter

ˈbarratrous, ˈbarretrous adjective