v.
Pronunciation: ' pes-t ə r
Function: transitive verb
Inflected Form: pes · tered ; pes · ter · ing \ -t( ə -)ri ŋ \
Etymology: modification of Middle French empestrer to hobble, embarrass, from Vulgar Latin *impastoriare, from Latin in- + Late Latin pastoria tether ― more at PASTERN
Date: 1533
1 obsolete : OVERCROWD
2 : to harass with petty irritations : ANNOY
synonyms see WORRY