tease
verbUK /tiːz/
US /tiːz/
To playfully make fun of someone in a gentle way.
My brother likes to tease me about my new haircut.
OTHER MEANINGS
2. To comb hair in a way that makes it stand up or look fuller.
She teased her hair to give it more volume.
3. To annoy an animal or person on purpose to get a reaction.
Don't tease the dog by holding its toy out of reach.
4. To separate fibers of wool or hair by combing them.
The workers teased the wool before spinning it into yarn.