noun

1. a breaking up of ice in a river, etc.
2. a rush of debris-filled waters
3. an overwhelming defeat or rout
4. a total, often ludicrous, collapse or failure

Etymology: Fr débâcle, breakup, overthrow < débâcler, to break up < dé-, de-, + bâcler, to bar, prob. < VL *bacculare < *bacculum, var. of L baculum, staff: see bacillus