term:

Embargo

embargo n

pl: -goes
[Spanish, from embargar to bar]
1 : an order of a government prohibiting the departure of commercial ships from its ports
2 : a legal prohibition on commerce [an on arms shipments]
3 : an order by a common carrier or public regulatory agency prohibiting or restricting freight transportation
vt -goed
-go·ing
: to place an embargo on

Source: Merriam-Webster's Dictionary of Law ©1996. Merriam-Webster, Incorporated. Published under license with Merriam-Webster, Incorporated.