Protestation

(n.) The act of making a protest; a public avowal; a solemn declaration, especially of dissent.

Protestation - Other Definitions

(n.) The act of making a protest; a public avowal; a solemn declaration, especially of dissent.
(n.) Formerly, a declaration in common-law pleading, by which the party interposes an oblique allegation or denial of some fact, protesting that it does or does not exist, and at the same time avoiding a direct affirmation or denial.