Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - provoke

 transitive verb  (~d; provoking)  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French *~r, provocher, from Latin provocare, from pro- forth + vocare to call, from voc-, vox voice — more at pro-, voice  Date: 14th century  1.  a. archaic to arouse to a feeling or action  b. to incite to anger  2.  a. to call forth (as a feeling or action) ; evoke ~ laughter  b. to stir up purposely ~ a fight  c. to provide the needed stimulus for will ~ a lot of discussion  • ~r noun Synonyms:  ~, excite, stimulate, pique, quicken mean to arouse as if by pricking. ~ directs attention to the response called forth my stories usually ~ laughter. excite implies a stirring up or moving profoundly news that excited anger and frustration. stimulate suggests a rousing out of lethargy, quiescence, or indifference stimulating conversation. pique suggests stimulating by mild irritation or challenge that remark piqued my interest. quicken implies beneficially stimulating and making active or lively the high salary quickened her desire to have the job.  Synonym: see in addition irritate.