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’.