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First published 1986 (DOST Vol. VI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Provocatio(u)n(e, n. Also: prowoc-, provokc-, provac- and -acioun, -acion(e, -atyown. [Late ME and e.m.E. provocacion (1426), -ation, F. provocation (12–13th c.), L. prōvocātiōn-, f. prōvocāre Provok(e v.]

1. The action of inciting; incitement; stimulus, impulse. b. An incentive or stimulus; a temptation to evil.(1) 1456 Hay II 131/25.
And than ar thai [evil humours] … redyast to lous and to pas out with lesse provocacioun na othir tymes 1562-3 Winȝet I 7/1.
And in prouocatioun of Godis wraith contrare vs 1577–8 Reg. Privy C. II 672.
That I … sall on na wayis invade … nor sall mak ony provocatioun of troubill to thame a1578 Pitsc. I 71 h. of ch.
Provocatioun of weiris maid be the Inglismen(2) 1456 Hay I 79/32.
Men that war symple … did efter the provocacioun of nature and be the fleschly appetite a1500 Bernardus 129.
And thow do, … confyde, It is the fendys prouocacione c1552 Lynd. Mon. 3492.
And be thare prouocatioun … His douchteris boith he gat with chyldeb. 1494 Loutfut MS 136b.
For be only personnys thai [heralds] stand peralusly throcht gret prouocationis of the warld & mony peralus passage 1549 Compl. 18/2.
Thy cheretabil correctione maye be ane prouocatione to gar me studye mair attentiulye [etc.]

2. (An) action, or behaviour, exciting anger, resentment or the like; a cause of resentment. c1420 Wynt. viii 2976.
Quhat he [Wallace] dyd agayne that natyown, Thai made hym prowocatyown [C. prowocacion] 1456 Hay II 155/5.
Evill provocaciounis and langagis that may engender … debate betuix ȝow 1533 Bell. Livy II 187/13.
But ony iniure offence or provocatioun done to thame be ws 1541 Aberd. B. Rec. MS XVII (Jam.).
He hes maid diuers on settingis & prouocaciounis on hym a1578 Pitsc. I 74/14.
Quhome it is pleissit for this present to invaid ws but ony caus or prowocatioun 1598 Wemyss Chart. 220. 1602 Dundonald Par. Rec. 15.
Sumound … for the prowocatioun, onset and tuilȝe … in the kirk yaird 1662 Rothesay B. Rec. 72.
It is found to have beane straicks and batteris betuix them and provocatiounes on ilk syde 1665 Forbes Baron Ct. 265.
They sall … neither flytt … nor giv any provokcation(b) 1671 Kirkcudbr. B. Rec. MS 27 May.
Fynes William Meikill … for his … provacatioun towards William Sproat

3. A challenge (to fight): cf. Provok(e v. 3. 1604 Stirling B. Rec. II 383.
And the resavar of the cartell that acceptis the provocatioun salbe under the lyk paine 1610 Reg. Privy C. IX 1.
The mutuall challangeis and provocatioun of combatt past betuix thame

4. Only in Bell. Livy, rendering L. provocatio: An appeal. 1533 Bell. Livy II 41/3.
We sufferit ȝow to haue the helpe of tribunys, the provocatioun to the pepill [etc.]