persecuting

transitive verb persecuted, persecuting

1. to afflict or harass constantly so as to injure or distress; oppress cruelly, esp. for reasons of religion, politics, or race
2. to trouble or annoy constantly: persecuted by mosquitoes

Origin: LME persecuten < MFr persécuter, back-form. < persécuteur < L persecutor < persequi, to pursue < per, through + sequi, to follow: see sequent