allege

1. To assert to be true; affirm: alleging his innocence of the charge.
2. To assert without or before proof: The indictment alleges that the commissioner took bribes.
3. To state (a plea or excuse, for example) in support or denial of a claim or accusation: The defendant alleges temporary insanity.
4. Archaic. To bring forward as an authority.

[Middle English alleggen, from Old French alegier, to vindicate, justify (influenced by aleguer, to give a reason), from esligier, to pay a fine, justify oneself, from Late Latin *exlītigāre, to clear at law : Latin ex-, out; see ex– + Latin lītigāre, to sue; see litigate.]