pros·e·cute /'prä-si-ˌkyüt/ vb -cut·ed, -cut·ing [Latin prosecutus, past participle of prosequi to pursue]
vt
1: to institute and carry forward legal action against for redress or esp. punishment of a crime
2: to institute and carry on a lawsuit with reference to
every action shall be prosecuted in the name of the real party in interest — Federal Rules of Civil Procedure Rule 17(a)
vi: to institute and carry on a civil or criminal action
pros·e·cut·able /ˌprä-si-'kyü-tə-bəl/ adj
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.