blackbouler

comes from the English word black, and from ball. This word probably comes from Freemasonry. During the initiation of a profane in Freemasonry, the brothers (or sisters in some cases) vote for or against the admission of this profane into Freemasonry, using white balls (for) and black balls (against). The profane needs more white balls than black balls to be accepted, a black ball often counting for several white balls. To be blackballed is to get more black balls than white balls, more votes against than votes for, and therefore, to be denied entry into Freemasonry.