n. [ Icel. beita food, beit pasture, akin to AS. bāt food, Sw. bete. See Bait, v. t. ]
Bait bug (Zool.),
v. t.
A crooked pin . . . baited with a vile earthworm. W. Irving. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. To stop to take a portion of food and drink for refreshment of one's self or one's beasts, on a journey. [ 1913 Webster ]
Evil news rides post, while good news baits. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]
My lord's coach conveyed me to Bury, and thence baiting at Newmarket. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]
v. i. [ F. battre de l'aile (or des ailes), to flap or flutter. See Batter, v. t. ] To flap the wings; to flutter as if to fly; or to hover, as a hawk when she stoops to her prey. “Kites that bait and beat.” Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. One who baits; a tormentor. [ 1913 Webster ]
n. harassment, especially of a tethered animal. [ WordNet 1.5 ]