BADGER

I. noun Etymology: probably from badge; from the white mark on its forehead Date: 1523 1. any of various burrowing mammals (especially Taxidea taxus and Meles meles ) of the weasel family that are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, the pelt or fur of a ~, a native or resident of Wisconsin, II. transitive verb Etymology: from the sport of baiting ~s Date: 1794 to harass or annoy persistently, see: bait