any obstruction of the processes of industry carried out with intent to hamper production; an ancient weapon of workers in labor disputes, though the term first came into general use about 1897; in time of war commonly committed by enemy saboteurs to weaken a country's military or economic power; word derived from French sabot, or wooden shoe; some authorities say it originated when a French workman threw his wooden shoe into the machinery of his employer; others say the term refers to the slow, clumsy movement of the sabot, hence meaning to work slowly or carelessly