forestall: Meaning and Definition of

fore•stall

1. to prevent, hinder, or thwart by action in advance: to forestall a riot by deploying police.
2. to act beforehand with or get ahead of; anticipate.
3. to buy up (goods) in advance in order to increase the price when resold.
4. to prevent sales at (a fair, market, etc.) by buying up or diverting goods.