Main Entry:

heck·le

Pronunciation:

\ˈhe-kəl\

Function:

transitive verb

Inflected Form(s):

heck·led; heck·ling \-k(ə-)liŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English hekelen to dress flax, scratch, from heckele hackle; akin to Old High German hāko hook — more at hook

Date:

circa 1825

: to harass and try to disconcert with questions, challenges, or gibes : badger

synonyms see bait

— heck·ler \-k(ə-)lər\ noun