Dictionary
ya•ku•za
Pronunciation: (yä'koo-zä"), [key]—
n.,
—pl. -za.
1. any of various tightly knit Japanese criminal organizations having a ritualistic, strict code of honor.
2. such organizations collectively.
3. a member of such an organization; gangster.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.