n. & v.
--n. a thing said in order to anger or wound a person.
--v.tr.
1. assail with taunts.
2 reproach (a person) contemptuously.
Derivatives:
taunter n. tauntingly adv.
Etymology: 16th c., in phr. taunt for taunt f. F tant pour tant tit for tat, hence a smart rejoinder