putoff means an excuse made to delay or stall. Lexicurio rates it Sui generis — a strength score of 88 out of 100.
Etymology
Deverbal from put off.
noun
- An excuse made to delay or stall.“I think I would have asked farther, but Alan gave me the put-off. “I am rather wearied,” he said, “and I would like fine to get a sleep.””