noun

1. Obsolete an instrument of torture or the torture inflicted
2. great pain or anguish, physical or mental; suffering; agony
3. a source of pain, anxiety, or annoyance

Etymology: OFr < L tormentum, a rack, instrument of torture, torture, pain, orig., machine for twisting or throwing < torquere, to twist, whirl around, fling: see tort

transitive verb

1. Rare to torture
2. to cause great physical pain or mental anguish in
3. to annoy, harass, or tease
4. Obsolete to stir up; agitate

Etymology: ME tormenten < OFr tourmenter < the n.