something that incites, instigates, angers, or irritates.
3.
Criminal Law.words or conduct leading to killing in hot passion and without deliberation.
Origin: 1375–1425;late Middle English < Latinprōvocātiōn- (stem of prōvocātiō) a calling forth, equivalent to prōvocāt(us) (past participle of prōvocāre to provoke; see -ate1) + -iōn--ion
early 15c., from O.Fr. provocation (12c.), from L. provocationem (nom. provocatio) "a calling forth, challenge," from provocatus, pp. of provocare "provoke."