noun

1. Obsolete a raised framework for smoking, drying, or broiling meat
2. a hog, steer, etc. broiled or roasted whole over an open fire, sometimes in an open pit
3. 1. any meat broiled over an open fire
   2. any meat prepared and broiled with a barbecue sauce
4. ☆ a party or picnic at which such meat is served
5. a restaurant that specializes in barbecuing
6. 1. an outdoor structure for cooking or, esp., roasting over an open fire
   2. a portable outdoor grill

Etymology: AmSp barbacoa < Taino, lit., framework of sticks

transitive verb barbecued -·cued′, barbecuing -·cu′·ing

1. to prepare (meat) outdoors by roasting on a spit or broiling on a grill, usually over a charcoal fire
2. to broil or cook (meat) with a highly seasoned sauce (barbecue sauce) containing vinegar, tomatoes, spices, etc.

adjective

1. of or for a barbecue
2. prepared by barbecuing barbecue ribs