The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Avocate \Av"o*cate\, v. t. [L. avocatus, p. p. of avocare; a, ab
   + vocare to call. Cf. Avoke, and see Vocal, a.]
   To call off or away; to withdraw; to transfer to another
   tribunal. [Obs. or Archaic]
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         One who avocateth his mind from other occupations.
                                                  --Barrow.
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         He, at last, . . . avocated the cause to Rome.
                                                  --Robertson.
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