prevarication

The act of prevaricating or deviating, especially from truth, honesty, or plain-dealing; evasion of truth or duty; quibbling or shuffling in words or conduct.

Transgression; violation.

A secret abuse in the exercise of a public office or commission.

In law: The conduct of an advocate who betrayed the cause of his client, and by collusion assisted his opponent.

The undertaking of a thing falsely, with intent to defeat the object which it was professed to promote.