QUIBBLE

I. verb (~d; quibbling) Date: 1656 intransitive verb to evade the point of an argument by caviling about words, 2. cavil , carp , bicker , transitive verb to subject to ~s, ~r noun II. noun Etymology: probably diminutive of obsolete quib ~ Date: 1664 an evasion of or shift from the point, a minor objection or criticism