Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Taunt

Taunt , adjective

[Compare Old French tant so great, French tant so much, Latin tantus of such size, so great, so much.]

(Nautical) Very high or tall; as, a ship with taunt masts. — Totten

Taunt , transitive verb

[Earlier, to tease; probably from Old French tanter to tempt, to try, for tenter. See Tempt.]

To reproach with severe or insulting words; to revile; to upbraid; to jeer at; to flout.
When I had at my pleasure taunted her. — Shakespeare

Taunt , noun

Upbraiding language; bitter or sarcastic reproach; insulting invective.
With scoffs, and scorns, and contemelious taunts. — Shakespeare
With sacrilegious taunt and impious jest. — Prior