heckle

/ˈhe-kəl/

Middle English hekelen to dress flax, scratch, from heckele hackle; akin to Old High German hāko hook

verb

  1. to harass and try to disconcert with questions, challenges, or gibes : badger

bait badger heckle hector chivy hound mean to harass by efforts to break down. bait implies wanton cruelty or delight in persecuting a helpless victim. badger implies pestering so as to drive a person to confusion or frenzy.