Sentence:  But by Hawk. P. C. bk. 1, c. 21, if such suits are merely groundless, and brought only with a design to oppress the defendants, such a man may as properly be called a <WSD>barrator</WSD> as if he had stirred up others to bring them. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  One who is guilty of barratry, vexing others with frequent and often groundless lawsuits; a brangler and pettifogger.