Wor″ry (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Worried (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Worrying.] [OE. worowen, wirien, to strangle, AS. wyrgan in āwyrgan; akin to D. worgen, wurgen, to strangle, OHG. wurgen, G. würgen, Lith. verszti, and perhaps to E. wring.]
1. To harass by pursuit and barking; to attack repeatedly; also, to tear or mangle with the teeth.
A hellhound that doth hunt us all to death;
That dog that had his teeth before his eyes,
To worry lambs and lap their gentle blood. Shak.
2. To harass or beset with importunity, or with care an anxiety; to vex; to annoy; to torment; to tease; to fret; to trouble; to plague. “A church worried with reformation.” South.
Let them rail,
And worry one another at their pleasure. Rowe.
Worry him out till he gives consent. Swift.
3. To harass with labor; to fatigue.