Forestall

verb

1. To prevent, delay or hinder something by taking precautionary or anticipatory measures; to avert.

   "Fred forestalled disaster by his prompt action."

2. To preclude or bar from happening, render impossible.
3. To purchase the complete supply of a good, particularly foodstuffs, in order to charge a monopoly price.
4. To anticipate, to act foreseeingly.
5. To deprive (with of).