debacle Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a sudden and violent collapse
    fiasco.
  2. noun flooding caused by a tumultuous breakup of ice in a river during the spring or summer
  3. noun a sound defeat
    trouncing; drubbing; whipping; thrashing; slaughter; walloping.

WordNet

De*ba"cle noun
Etymology
F. débâcle, fr. débâcler to unbar, break loose; pref. dé- (prob. = L. dis) + bâcler to bolt, fr. L. baculum a stick.
Definitions
  1. (Geol.) A breaking or bursting forth; a violent rush or flood of waters which breaks down opposing barriers, and hurls forward and disperses blocks of stone and other débris.

Webster 1913