Meaning

• To deviate, transgress; to go astray (from).

• To shift or turn from direct speech or behaviour; to evade the truth; to waffle or be (intentionally) ambiguous.

  "The people saw the politician prevaricate every day."

• To collude, as where an informer colludes with the defendant, and makes a sham prosecution.

• To undertake something falsely and deceitfully, with the purpose of defeating or destroying it.