'bait' originates from Old Norse, specifically the word 'beita', where 'beita' meant 'to cause to bite; to bait'.

'bait' changed from Old Norse 'beita' into Middle English forms such as 'baiten' and eventually became the modern English word 'bait' (and thus 'baited' as its past/past participle).

Initially, it meant 'to cause to bite or to set on (an animal)', but over time it evolved to include 'to lure or entice with something attractive' and 'to provoke or taunt'.