taunt

To make fun of (someone); to goad (a person) into responding, often in an aggressive manner.

A scornful or mocking remark; a jeer or mockery.

VVith ſcoffes and ſcornes, and contumelious taunts, / In open Market-place produc't they me, / To be a publique ſpectacle to all: / Here, ſayd they, is the Terror of the French, / The Scar-Crovv that affrights our Children ſo.

The attacks and the failure to catch the killer created an atmosphere of fear and dismay throughout Yorkshire, and provoked grim taunts to the police at Leeds United football matches such as “Ripper 10, Police nil”

Very high or tall.

the great ships, for want of ſufficient masts, will lose the advantages the taunt masts would procure