'baiter' originates from English, formed from the verb 'bait' plus the agentive suffix '-er' meaning 'one who'. The verb 'bait' is ultimately from Old Norse 'beita' meaning 'to cause to bite' or 'to entice'.

'bait' passed into Middle English from Old Norse 'beita' (and related Germanic forms) and appeared in forms such as Middle English 'baiten'/'bayten'; the agentive form 'baiter' developed by adding '-er' to the verb, and the plural became 'baiters'.

Initially 'bait' meant 'to cause (an animal) to bite' or 'to entice'; over time it broadened to include 'to lure or provoke' people as well as animals. 'Baiter' therefore came to mean both 'one who uses bait' and 'one who provokes'.