Treated someone in a way that is annoying, threatening, or makes them feel uncomfortable, usually repeatedly; or feeling tired and stressed from being bothered.
From French 'harasser,' possibly derived from Old French 'harer' (to set a dog on someone). The term evolved from the literal idea of chasing or hounding someone to the modern sense of persistent unwanted behavior.
The word 'harass' literally comes from the idea of setting dogs on someone—which shows how language carries violence in its DNA. Today it covers everything from schoolyard bullying to workplace discrimination, but it all traces back to that image of relentless pursuit.
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