v.
  - stimulate (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one) in someone.
 - deliberately annoy or anger. 
▸incite to do or feel something, especially by arousing anger.
 
 
  Derivative
  
    - provokable adj.
  - provoker n.
  - provoking adj.
  - provokingly adv.
 
   
  Etymology
  ME: from OFr. provoquer, from L. provocare ‘challenge’, from pro- ‘forth’ + vocare ‘to call’.