transitive verb

1. to give trouble to, esp. in a petty or nagging way; disturb, annoy, irritate, etc.
2. to distress, afflict, or plague vexed with rheumatism
3. to keep bringing up, going over, or returning to (a matter difficult to solve)
4. Obsolete to shake or toss about

Etymology: ME vexen < MFr vexer, to vex, torment < L vexare, to shake, agitate < pp. stem of vehere, to carry: see way