transitive verb

1. 1. to set attacking dogs against people formerly baited chained bears for sport
   2. to attack as such dogs do
2. to torment or harass with unprovoked, vicious, repeated attacks
3. to tease or goad, esp. so as to provoke a reaction
4. to put food, etc. on (a hook or trap) to lure animals or fish
5. to lure; tempt; entice
6. Archaic to feed (animals) during a break in a journey

Etymology: ME baiten < ON beita < Gmc *baitian, caus. of *bitan: for base see bite

intransitive verb

noun

1. food, etc. put on a hook or trap to lure fish or animals
2. anything used as a lure; enticement
3. ☆ Dialectal a large amount we wolfed down a bait of huckleberries
4. Archaic a stop for rest or food during a journey

Etymology: ON beita, lure, fish bait