impeach

Meanings

1. To hinder, impede, or prevent.
2. To bring a legal proceeding against a public official.
3. To charge with impropriety; to discredit; to call into question.
4. To demonstrate in court that a testimony under oath contradicts another testimony from the same person, usually one taken during deposition.

Etymology

From Middle English empechen, borrowed from Anglo-Norman empecher, from Old French empeechier (“to hinder”), from Latin impedicāre (“to fetter”). Cognate with French empêcher (“to prevent”).