di·vert 
(d
ĭ-vûrt
, d
ī-)
v. di·vert·ed, di·vert·ing, di·verts
v.tr.1. To turn aside from a course or direction: Traffic was diverted around the scene of the accident.
2. To distract: My attention was diverted by an argument between motorists.
3. To entertain by distracting the attention from worrisome thoughts or cares; amuse. See Synonyms at amuse.
[Middle English diverten, from Old French divertir, from Latin dīvertere : dī-, dis-, aside; see DIS- + vertere, to turn; see wer-2 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]
di·verter n.
di·verting·ly adv.