caucus

Etymology

Unknown. One possible source is Algonquin cawaassough or caucauasu (“counselor, elder, adviser”). A popular folk etymology attested in Great Leaders and National Issues of 1896 stated: "In the early part of the eighteenth century a number of caulkers connected with the shipping business in the North End of Boston held a meeting for consultation. That meeting was the germ of the political caucuses which have formed so prominent a feature of our government ever since its organization." American Heritage Dictionary states the term is taken from the Caucus Club of Boston in the 1760s, possibly from Medieval Latin caucus (“drinking vessel”).

noun

1. A usually preliminary meeting of party members to nominate candidates for public office or delegates to be sent a nominating convention, or to confer regarding policy.
   He conferred with Mr. Warren of Plymouth upon the necessity of giving into spirited measures, and then said, "Do you keep the committee in play, and I will go and make a caucus against the evening; and do you meet me." 1788, William Gordon, The History of the Rise, Progress, and Establishment, of the Independence of the United States of America
2. A grouping of all the members of a legislature from the same party.
3. A political interest group by members of a legislative body.

verb

1. (intransitive or transitive with with) To meet and participate in a caucus.
   2006, Associated Press, (reprinted in the Boston Globe) http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2006/11/13/lieberman_wont_rule_out_gop_caucusing/, November 13, "Senator Joseph I. Lieberman of Connecticut said yesterday that he will caucus with Senate Democrats in the new Congress, but he would not rule out switching to the Republican caucus if he starts to feel uncomfortable among Democrats."
   Democratic Sens. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Doug Jones of Alabama and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona voted with Republicans against the measure, as did Sen. Angus King of Maine, an Independent who caucuses with the Democrats. 2019-03-26, Rebecca Shabad, Dartunorro Clark, “Senate fails to advance Green New Deal as Democrats protest McConnell 'sham vote'”, in NBC news
2. (transitive) To bring into or treat in a caucus.
   Although journalists from the private media were barred from entering the hall, different districts caucused the meeting, discussing the voting centres and other logistics. 2017-05-06, Tatenda Chitagu, “Zanu PF to stage one-man chairmanship polls”, in NewsDay Zimbabwe