■ verb
1》 stimulate (a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one) in someone.
2》 deliberately annoy or anger.
↘incite to do or feel something, especially by arousing anger.
Derivatives
provokable adjective
~r noun
provoking adjective
provokingly adverb
Origin
ME: from OFr. provoquer , from L. provocare 'challenge', from pro- 'forth' + vocare 'to call'.