/preuh vok'euh terr", -toor"/ ; Fr. /prddaw vaw kann tuerdd"/ , n. , pl. provocateurs /-terrz", -toorz"/ ; Fr. /-tuerdd"/ .
1. a person who provokes trouble, causes dissension, or the like; agitator.
2. ( italics ) French. See agent provocateur .
[ 1915-20; provocator challenger, appellant, equiv. to provoca ( re ) to PROVOKE + - tor -TOR ]