from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Foreclose \Fore*close"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Foreclosed}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Foreclosing}.] [F. forclos, p. p. of forclore
to exclude; OF. fors, F. hors, except, outside (fr. L. foris
outside) + F. clore to close. See {Foreign}, and {Close}, v.
t.]
To shut up or out; to preclude; to stop; to prevent; to bar;
to exclude.
[1913 Webster]
The embargo with Spain foreclosed this trade. --Carew.
[1913 Webster]
{To foreclose a mortgager} (Law), to cut him off by a
judgment of court from the power of redeeming the
mortgaged premises, termed his equity of redemption.
{To foreclose a mortgage}, (not technically correct, but
often used to signify) the obtaining a judgment for the
payment of an overdue mortgage, and the exposure of the
mortgaged property to sale to meet the mortgage debt.
--Wharton.
[1913 Webster]