v.
Pronunciation: m ə - ' lest
Function: transitive verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French molester, from Latin molestare, from molestus burdensome, annoying; akin to Latin moles mass
Date: 14th century
1 : to annoy, disturb, or persecute especially with hostile intent or injurious effect
2 : to make annoying sexual advances to especially : to force physical and usually sexual contact on
– mo · les · ta · tion \ ˌ m ō - ˌ les- ' t ā -sh ə n, ˌ mä-, -l ə s- \ noun
– mo · lest · er \ m ə - ' les-t ə r \ noun