harass

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
harass /ˈharəs, həˈras/

▶verb

• 1 torment by subjecting to constant interference or intimidation.

• 2 (as adj. harassed) strained as a result of having too many demands made on one: harassed parents.

– derivatives
harasser noun,
harassing adjective,
harassingly adverb,
harassment noun.

– origin C17: from Fr. harasser, from harer ‘set a dog on’, from Gmc hare, a cry urging a dog to attack.

usage: The word harass is pronounced either with the stress on the har- or with the stress on the -rass. The former pronunciation is the older and is regarded by some as the only correct one.