plead

verb

1.
appeal or request earnestly
bene plead for pled
2.
offer as an excuse or plea
3.
enter a plea, as in courts of law
Derived from:
pleading
4.
make an allegation in an action or other legal proceeding, especially answer the previous pleading of the other party by denying facts therein stated or by alleging new facts
Agent:
pleader
Derived from:
pleader pleading