red-bait

 

verb

[with object] (often as noun red-baiting) North American informal
  • harass or persecute (someone) on account of known or suspected communist sympathies: (as adjective red-baiting) the red-baiting chairman of the Senate committee

noun

South African
  • a large sea squirt which is a popular bait with sea anglers.
    • Pyura stolonifera, class Ascidiaceae

Derivatives

red-baiter

noun