ver·bo·ten I. \və(r)ˈbōtən, fə(r)ˈb-, ferˈb-, feəˈb-\adjective Etymology: German, from Old High German farbotan, past participle of farbiotan, firbiotan to forbid — more at forbid : forbidden; especially: prohibited by dictate < hanging onto the steps is verboten — J.F.Dobie > II. noun (-s) : something forbidden by authority < the duties are mostly negative, in the form of standard, well-understood verbotens — Commonweal >