Forestaller

/fɔːrˈstɔːlər/ noun

Definition

A person who prevents or obstructs something; specifically, a merchant who buys goods before they reach market to resell at profit.

Etymology

From 'forestall' + '-er' (agent noun). In Medieval economics, a forestaller was a specific criminal type—someone who interfered with free market trade.

Kelly Says

Forestallers were considered economic terrorists in the Middle Ages—laws specifically criminalized them. It's basically the Medieval version of blocking supply chains to artificially raise prices.

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