tergiversate

intransitive verb tergiversated -·sat′ed, tergiversating -·sat′·ing

1. to desert a cause, party, etc.; become a renegade; apostatize
2. to use evasions or subterfuge; equivocate

Etymology: < L tergiversatus, pp. of tergiversari, to turn one's back, decline, shift < tergum, the back (see tergum) + versari, to turn: see verse