tra·verse 1 /'tra-ˌvərs, trə-'vərs/ n: a denial of a matter of fact alleged in the opposing party's pleadings; also: a pleading in which such a denial is made
tra·verse 2 /trə-'vərs, 'tra-ˌvərs/ vt [Anglo-French traverser, literally, to lay across, bar, impede, from Old French, from Late Latin transversare to cross, from Latin transversus lying across]: to deny (as an allegation of fact or an indictment) in a legal proceeding
Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary of Law. Merriam-Webster. 1996.