palter

verb (used without object)

1. to talk or act insincerely or deceitfully; lie or use trickery.
2. to bargain with; haggle.
3. to act carelessly; trifle.

verb (intr)

1. to act or talk insincerely
2. to haggle

v.1530s, “speak indistinctly,” of unknown origin. It has the form of a frequentative, but no verb palt is known. Connection with paltry is uncertain. Hence “play fast and loose” (c.1600). Related: Paltered; paltering; palterer.