Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
BADGER
I. noun
Etymology: probably from badge; from the white mark on its forehead
Date: 1523
1. any of various burrowing mammals (especially Taxidea taxus and Meles meles ) of the weasel family that are widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, the pelt or fur of a badger, a native or resident of Wisconsin,
II. transitive verb
Etymology: from the sport of baiting badgers
Date: 1794
to harass or annoy persistently, see: bait