Noah Webster
Pretext
PRETEXT', noun [Latin proetextus.] Pretense; false appearance; ostensible reason or motive assigned or assumed as a color or cover for the real reason or motive. He gave plausible reasons for this conduct, but these were only a pretext to conceal his real motives.
He made pretext that I should only go
And help convey his freight; but thought not so.
They suck the blood of those they depend on, under a pretext of service and kindness.