Pretext

google

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early 16th century: from Latin praetextus ‘outward display’, from the verb praetexere ‘to disguise’, from prae ‘before’ + texere ‘weave’.

wiktionary

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From French prétexte, from Latin praetextum(“an ornament, etc., wrought in front, a pretense”), neuter of praetextus, past participle of praetexere(“to weave before, fringe or border, allege”).

etymonline

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pretext (n.)

"that which is assumed as a cloak or means of concealment," 1510s, from French prétexte, from Latin praetextum "a pretext, outward display," noun use of neuter past participle of praetexere "to disguise, cover," literally "weave in front" (for sense, compare pull the wool over (someone's) eyes); from prae- "in front" (see pre-) + texere "to weave" (from PIE root *teks- "to weave," also "to fabricate").