Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - barratry

 noun  (plural -tries)  Etymology: Middle English (Scots) barratrie, from Anglo-French *baraterie, literally, deception, from Old French barater to be active, do business, cause strife, deceive, perhaps from Vulgar Latin *prattare, from Greek prattein, prassein to do — more at practical  Date: 15th century  1. the purchase or sale of office or preferment in church or state  2. an unlawful act or fraudulent breach of duty by a master of a ship or by the mariners to the injury of the owner of the ship or cargo  3. the persistent incitement of litigation