"irritate, exasperate," 1907 (implied in peeved), back-formation from peevish. Also "to grumble, complain" (1912). As a noun, attested by 1910. Related: Peeved; peeving; peeves.
Entries linking to peeve
peevish adj.
late 14c., peyvesshe "perverse, capricious, silly," a word of uncertain origin; probably modeled on Latin perversus "reversed, perverse," past participle of pervertere "to turn about" (see pervert (v.)). Original sense was obsolete from 17c. The meaning "cross, fretful. ill-tempered" is recorded from 1520s. Related: Peevishly; peevishness.
pet peeve n.
"thing that provokes one most," by 1917, from pet (n.1) in the adjectival sense "especially cherished thing" (1826), here in jocular or ironic use with peeve (n.) and perhaps a suggestion of pet (n.2).