Provocation

n.	1.	The act of provoking, or causing vexation or, anger.
	2.	That which provokes, or excites anger; the cause of resentment; as, to give provocation.
	3.	Incitement; stimulus; as, provocation to mirth.
	4.	(Law) Such prior insult or injury as may be supposed, under the circumstances, to create hot blood, and to excuse an assault made in retort or redress.
	5.	An appeal to a court. [A Latinism]

Noun	1.	provocation - unfriendly behavior that causes anger or resentment Synonyms: aggravation, irritation
	2.	provocation - something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action Synonyms: incitation, incitement
	3.	provocation - needed encouragement; "the result was a provocation of vigorous investigation" Synonyms: incitement

PROVOCATION. The act of inciting another to do something.
     2. Provocation simply, unaccompanied by a crime or misdemeanor, does not justify the person provoked to commit an assault and battery. In cases of homicide, it may reduce the offence from murder to manslaughter. But when the provocation is given for the purpose of justifying or excusing an intended murder, and the party provoked is killed, it is no justification. 2 Gilb. Ev. by Lofft, 753.
     3. The unjust provocation by a wife of her husband, in consequence of which she suffers from his ill usage, will not entitle her to a divorce on the ground of cruelty; her remedy, in such cases, is by changing her manners. 2 Lee,, R. 172; 1 Hagg. Cons. Rep. 155. Vide Cruelty; To Persuade; 1 Russ. on Cr. B. 3, c. 1, s. 1, page 434, and B. 3, c. 3, s. 1, pa e 486; 1 East, P. C. 232 to 241.

bothering, cause, grounds, harassment, incentive, incitement, inducement, initiation, instigation, insult, irking, irritation, justification, motivation, motive, provoking, reason, stimulus, taunt, vexation, vexing