From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
taunting
adj 1: abusing vocally; expressing contempt or ridicule;
"derisive laughter"; "a jeering crowd"; "her mocking
smile"; "taunting shouts of `coward' and `sissy'" [syn:
derisive, gibelike, jeering, mocking, taunting]
n 1: aggravation by deriding or mocking or criticizing [syn:
twit, taunt, taunting]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Taunt \Taunt\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Taunted; p. pr. & vb. n.
Taunting.] [Earlier, to tease; probably fr. OF. 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.
[1913 Webster]
When I had at my pleasure taunted her. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: To deride; ridicule; mock; jeer; flout; revile. See
Deride.
[1913 Webster]
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Taunting \Taunt"ing\,
a. & n. from Taunt, v.
[1913 Webster]
Every kind of insolent and taunting reflection.
--Burke.
[1913 Webster]