Meaning

• To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.

  "Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action."

• To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.

• To purchase the complete supply of a good, particularly foodstuffs, in order to charge a monopoly price.

• To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.

• To deprive (with of).

• To obstruct or stop up, as a road; to stop the passage of a highway; to intercept on the road, as goods on the way to market.