Meaning

noun a clique (often secret) that seeks power usually through intrigue

noun a plot to carry out some harmful or illegal act (especially a political plot)

verb engage in plotting or enter into a conspiracy, swear together

originFrom French cabale, from Medieval Latin cabbala, which in turn is derived from Hebrew קַבָּלָה (kabalá, “Jewish mysticism”, literally “reception, something received”) (such as knowledge). Doublet of Kabbalah, as well as, more distantly, ghibli.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0