Bait \Bait\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Baited; p. pr. & vb. n. Baiting.]

[OE. baiten, beit?n, to feed, harass, fr. Icel. beita, orig. to cause to bite, fr. b[=i]ta. [root]87. See Bite.]

1. To provoke and harass; esp., to harass or torment for sport; as, to bait a bear with dogs; to bait a bull.

2. To give a portion of food and drink to, upon the road; as, to bait horses. --Holland.

3. To furnish or cover with bait, as a trap or hook.

A crooked pin . . . bailed with a vile earthworm. --W. Irving.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)