ˈped.ēˌfäg, -etē-, -fȯg verb
( pettifogged ; pettifogged ; pettifogging ; pettifogs )
Etymology: back-formation from pettifogger
intransitive verb
1. : to engage in legal chicanery
2. : to quibble over insignificant details : cavil , bicker
transitive verb
: to plead (as a case) with legal chicanery