tamper
v. C1 Advanced US //ˈtæmpɝ// UK //tˈæmpɐ// tam·per
v. to touch or change something in a way that is not allowed or is harmful. You use this when someone tries to break into a safe or change a machine to get more money.
v. to interfere with something in a way that is illegal, harmful, or unauthorized. Often refers to the act of altering a machine or device to extract money or data without permission.
He was caught trying to tamper with the safe.
The security system is designed to detect any attempt to tamper with the locks or sensors.
Investigators found evidence that someone had tampered with the voting machines, raising serious questions about the integrity of the entire election process.
From tamp + -er.
From Middle French temprer (“to temper, mix, meddle”). Doublet of temper.