Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

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 : WordNet®

baiting
     n : harassment especially of a tethered animal