molest

 
Pronunciation: /məˈlɛst/

verb

[with object]
  • 1assault or abuse (a person, especially a woman or child) sexually: he was charged with molesting and taking obscene photographs of a ten-year-old boy
  • 2 dated pester or harass (someone) in an aggressive or persistent manner: the crowd were shouting abuse and molesting the two police officers

Derivatives

molestation

Pronunciation: /mɒlɛˈsteɪʃ(ə)n, məʊl-/
noun

molester

noun

Origin:

late Middle English (in the sense 'cause trouble to, vex'): from Old French molester or Latin molestare 'annoy', from molestus 'troublesome'