'prevaricate' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'praevaricari,' where 'prae-' meant 'before' and 'varicare' meant 'to straddle.'

'praevaricari' transformed into the Late Latin word 'praevaricatus,' and eventually became the modern English word 'prevaricate' through Middle English.

Initially, it meant 'to walk crookedly,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'to speak evasively.'