{ } n. A defamatory forgery or falsehood published for purposes of political intrigue. [ U.S. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The word originated in the election canvass of 1844, when such a forgery was published, to the detriment of James K. Polk, a candidate for President, purporting to be an extract from the “Travels of Baron Roorbach.” [ 1913 Webster ]