transitive verb provoked -·voked′, provoking -·vok′·ing

1. to excite to some action or feeling
2. to anger, irritate, or annoy
3. to stir up (action or feeling)
4. to call forth; evoke to provoke a smile

Etymology: ME provoken < MFr provoquer < L provocare, to call forth < pro-, pro- + vocare, to call < vox, voice