yakuza

noun, plural ya·ku·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.

noun plural -kuza

1. the yakuza a Japanese criminal organization involved in illegal gambling, extortion, gun-running, etc
2. a member of this organization

n.traditional Japanese organized crime cartel, literally “eight-nine-three” (ya, ku, sa) the losing hand in the traditional baccarat-like Japanese card game Oicho-Kabu. The notion may be “good for nothing,” or “bad luck” (such as that suffered by someone who runs afoul of them), or it may be a reference to the fact that a player who draws this hand requires great skill to win.