From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishforestallfore‧stall /fɔːˈstɔːl $ fɔːrˈstɒːl/ verb [transitive] formal PREVENTto prevent something from happening or prevent someone from doing something by doing something first a measure intended to forestall further attacks→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
forestall• The legislation is now likely to prove the basis for implementing the referendum it failed to forestall.• But first, a brief general comment about space and time in order to forestall a possible misunderstanding.• The National Guard was sent in, to forestall any trouble.• Prior's Trade Union Act of 1980 was a moderate measure intended to forestall further attacks on union power.• Once problems have actually arisen help of various kinds may supply a remedy or at least forestall something worse.Origin forestall Old English foresteallan “to put in front, ambush” 