'bait' originates from Old Norse, specifically the word 'beita', where 'beita' meant 'to bait, to harass with dogs' or 'to chase'.

'bait' changed from the Old Norse word 'beita' into Middle English forms such as 'baiten' and eventually became the modern English word 'bait'; the agentive suffix '-er' produced 'baiter' for 'one who baits.'

Initially, it meant 'to chase or harass (with dogs)'; over time it evolved into the current primary senses of 'to lure or entice' and extended to 'to provoke or taunt.'