Dictionary entry

Palaver

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Pa‐la″ver (?), n. [Sp. palabra, or Pg. palavra, fr. L. parabola a comparison, a parable, LL., a word. See Parable.]

1. Talk; conversation; esp., idle or beguiling talk; talk intended to deceive; flattery.

2. In Africa, a parley with the natives; a talk; hence, a public conference and deliberation; a debate.

This epoch of parliaments and eloquent palavers. Carlyle.