|dis+ transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English desavowen, from Middle French desavouner, from Old French, from des- dis- (I) + avouer to avow — more at avow
1. : to refuse to own or acknowledge : deny responsibility for, approbation of, or validity of : disclaim , repudiate , disown
disavowed the actions of his subordinates
disavowed any desire for independence
2. obsolete : refuse , decline
Synonyms: see disclaim