Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Exculpation
Ex′cul·pa′tion (ĕks′kŭl·pā′shŭn), n. [Cf. LL. exculpatio.] The act of exculpating from alleged fault or crime; that which exculpates; excuse.
These robbers, however, were men who might have made out a strong case in exculpation of themselves. Southey.