equivocate

verb2

1. •
   To speak using double meaning; to speak ambiguously, unclearly or doubtfully, with intent to deceive; to vacillate in one's answers, responding with equivoques.

   • All that Garnet had to say for him was that he supposed he meant to equivocate. — 1687
2. •
   To render equivocal or ambiguous.

   • He equivocated his vow by a mental reservation — 1647