Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Avocate \Av"o*cate\, v. t. [L. avocatus, p. p. of avocare; a, ab
   + vocare to call. Cf. {Avoke}, and see {Vocal}, a.]
   To call off or away; to withdraw; to transfer to another
   tribunal. [Obs. or Archaic]

         One who avocateth his mind from other occupations.
                                                  --Barrow.

         He, at last, . . . avocated the cause to Rome.
                                                  --Robertson.