v.
Pronunciation: ' he-k ə l
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: heck · led ; heck · ling \ -k( ə -)li ŋ \
Etymology: Middle English hekelen to dress flax, scratch, from heckele hackle; akin to Old High German h ā ko hook ― more at HOOK
Date: circa 1825
: to harass and try to disconcert with questions, challenges, or gibes : BADGER
synonyms see BAIT
– heck · ler \ -k( ə -)l ə r \ noun