v. & n.
v. (prodded, prodding) 1 tr. poke with the finger or a pointed object. 2 tr. stimulate to action. 3 intr. (foll. by at) make a prodding motion.
n. 1 a poke or thrust. 2 a stimulus to action. 3 a pointed instrument. prodder n.
[ 16th c.: perh. imit. ]