barratry Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun traffic in ecclesiastical offices or preferments
    simony.
  2. noun the crime of a judge whose judgment is influenced by bribery
  3. noun (maritime law) a fraudulent breach of duty by the master of a ship that injures the owner of the ship or its cargo; includes every breach of trust such as stealing or sinking or deserting the ship or embezzling the cargo
  4. noun the offense of vexatiously persisting in inciting lawsuits and quarrels

WordNet

Bar"ra*try noun
Etymology
Cf. F. baraterie, LL. barataria. See Barrator, and cf. Bartery.
Definitions
  1. (Law) The practice of exciting and encouraging lawsuits and quarrels. Also spelt barretry. Coke. Blackstone.
  2. (Mar. Law) A fraudulent breach of duty or willful act of known illegality on the part of a master of a ship, in his character of master, or of the mariners, to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo, and without his consent. It includes every breach of trust committed with dishonest purpose, as by running away with the ship, sinking or deserting her, etc., or by embezzling the cargo. Kent. Part.
  3. (Scots Law) The crime of a judge who is influenced by bribery in pronouncing judgment. Wharton.

Webster 1913