To Tántalize. v.a. [from Tantalus, whose punishment was to starve among fruits and water which he could not touch.] To torment by the shew of pleasures which cannot be reached.

            Thy vain desires, at strife
Within themselves, have tantaliz'd thy life. Dryden.

The maid once sped was not suffered to tantalize the male part of the commonwealth. Addison.