mid-15c., past-participle adjective from vex. Phrase vexed question attested from 1825 (in Latin form vexata quaestio from 1813).
Entries linking to vexed
vex v.
early 15c., from Old French vexer "vex, harass" (14c.), from Latin vexare "to shake, jolt, toss violently;" figuratively "attack, harass, trouble, annoy," from vexus, collateral form of vectus, past participle of vehere "to draw, carry" (from PIE root *wegh- "to go, move, transport in a vehicle"). Related: Vexed; vexing.