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 ME < L prōvocātiōn- (s. of prōvocātiō) a calling forth, equiv. to prōvocāt(us) (ptp. of prōvocāre to provoke; see -ate1) + -iōn--ion
1426, from O.Fr. provocation (12c.), from L. provocationem (nom. provocatio) "a calling forth, challenge," from provocatus, pp. of provocare "provoke." Provocative "serving to excite the appetite or lust" is from 1621, from M.Fr. provocatif (1486); used earlier as a noun (c.1412).
[prov-uh-key-shuh
n] 