FILIBUSTER

filibuster, a name originally given to the buccaneers (q.v.). the term is derived most probably from the dutch _vry buiter_, ger. _freibeuter_, eng. _freebooter_, the word changing first into _fribustier_, and then into fr. _flibustier_, span. _filibustero_. _flibustier_ has passed into the french language, and _filibustero_ into the spanish language, as a general name for a pirate. the term "filibuster" was revived in america to designate those adventurers who, after the termination of the war between mexico and the united states, organized expeditions within the united states to take part in west indian and central american revolutions. from this has sprung the modern use of the word to imply one who engages in private, unauthorized and irregular warfare against any state. in the united states it is colloquially applied to legislators who practise obstruction.