baitbeɪt(n.)

1. food, or some substitute, used as a lure in fishing, trapping, etc.

2. a poisoned lure used in exterminating pests.

3. an allurement; enticement.

4. (v.t.)to prepare (a hook or trap) with bait.

   Category: Sport

5. to lure, as with bait.

6. to set dogs upon (an animal) for sport.

7. to torment, esp. with malicious remarks; harass.

8. to tease.

9. to feed and water (an animal) during a journey.

10. (v.i. Archaic.)to stop for food or refreshment during a journey.

Origin of bait:

1150–1200; ME < ON, prob. reflecting both beita to pasture, hunt, chase with dogs or hawks (ult. causative of bīta to bite ) and beita fish bait

bait′er(n.)