barratry
noun
[ ˈbarətri ]
• fraud or gross negligence of a ship's master or crew at the expense of its owners or users.
• vexatious litigation or incitement to it (abolished as an offence in Britain in 1967).
• trade in the sale of Church or state appointments.
Origin:
late Middle English (in barratry (sense 3)): from Old French baraterie, from barater ‘deceive’, based on Greek prattein ‘do, perform, manage’ (sometimes dishonestly); perhaps influenced by Old Norse barátta ‘contest’.
