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