Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
BAIT
I. verb see: bite
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1. to persecute or exasperate with unjust, malicious, or persistent attacks, tease ,
2. to harass (as a chained animal) with dogs usually for sport, to attack by biting and tearing,
3. to furnish with bait, entice , lure , to give food and drink to (an animal) especially on the road, intransitive verb to stop for food and rest when traveling, baiter noun Synonyms: see: bait
II. noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Norse beit pasturage & beita food; akin to Old English bītan to bite
Date: 14th century
1. something (as food) used in luring especially to a hook or trap, a poisonous material placed where it will be eaten by harmful or objectionable animals, lure , temptation