defers is a form of:

Coquet



ENGLISH MEANING
verb
1.
(TRANSITIVE) To attempt to attract the notice, admiration, or love of; to treat with a show of tenderness or regard, with a view to deceive and disappoint.
2.
(INTRANSITIVE) To trifle in love; to stimulate affection or interest; to play the coquette; to deal playfully instead of seriously; to play (with); as, we have coquetted with political crime.