provoke

verb3

1. •
   To cause someone to become annoyed or angry.

   • Don't provoke the dog; it may try to bite you.
2. •
   To bring about a reaction.

   • To the poet the meaning is what he pleases to make it, what it provokes in his own soul. — 1881
3. •
   (no longer used) To appeal.

   • Even Arius and Pelagius durst provoke To what the centuries preceding spoke. — 1682