\Fore*stall"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Forestalled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Forestalling}.] [OE. forstallen to stop, to
obstruct; to stop (goods) on the way to the market by buying
them beforehand, from forstal obstruction, AS. forsteal,
foresteall, prop., a placing one's self before another. See
{Fore}, and {Stall}.]
1. To take beforehand, or in advance; to anticipate.
         What need a man forestall his date of grief, And run
         to meet what he would most avoid?     --Milton.
2. To take possession of, in advance of some one or something
   else, to the exclusion or detriment of the latter; to get
   ahead of; to preoccupy; also, to exclude, hinder, or
   prevent, by prior occupation, or by measures taken in
   advance.
   An ugly serpent which forestalled their way. --Fairfax.
   But evermore those damsels did forestall Their furious
   encounter.                                  --Spenser.
   To be forestalled ere we come to fall.      --Shak.
   Habit is a forestalled and obstinate judge. --Rush.
3. To deprive; -- with of. [R.]
         All the better; may This night forestall him of the
         coming day!                           --Shak.
4. (Eng. Law) To obstruct or stop up, as a way; to stop the
   passage of on highway; to intercept on the road, as goods
   on the way to market.
{To forestall the market}, to buy or contract for merchandise
   or provision on its way to market, with the intention of
   selling it again at a higher price; to dissuade persons
   from bringing their goods or provisions there; or to
   persuade them to enhance the price when there. This was an
   offense at law in England until 1844. --Burrill.
Syn: To anticipate; monopolize; engross.