Middle English hekelen to dress flax, scratch, from heckele hackle; akin to Old High German hāko hook
verb
to harass and try to disconcert with questions, challenges, or gibes : badger
baitbadgerhecklehectorchivyhound 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.