From WoWWiki

A method, process, or set of steps to either avoid the occurrence of a bug, lessen its effects, or remove its effects.

Example case of a bug and workaround:

• Bug: There is a loot lag bug that happens sometimes when harvesting herbs or mining some mineral veins such that your character will appear to freeze in the pickup position and you can't loot or gather anything from then on until you log out and back in.

• Workaround: Find the same type of resource (an herb or mineral vein) in another location and try to harvest it. Often times, this next attempt will succeed and the loot lag bug will go away.