Origin uncertain. Perhaps from Middle English pranken (“to adorn, arrange one's attire”), probably from Middle Dutch pronken, proncken (“to flaunt, make a show, arrange one's attire”), related to German prangen (“to make a show, be resplendent”), Dutch prangen (“to squeeze, press”), Danish pragt (“pomp, splendor”), all from Proto-Germanic *pranganą, *prangijaną, *prag- (“to press, squeeze, thring”), from Proto-Indo-European *brengʰ- (“to press, squeeze”). Or, perhaps ultimately related to Proto-Germanic *brahtaz, similar to Dutch pracht (“splendor”), Swedish prakt (“glory, pomp”) (loaned from Low German). Cognate with Middle Low German prunken (“to flaunt”), German prunken (“to flaunt”), Danish prunke (“to make a show, prank”). Sense of "mischievous act" from earlier verbal sense of "to be crafty or subtle, set in order, adjust". See also prink, prance, prong.
1
A practical joke or mischievous trick.
play a prank
pull a prank on someone
3 more examples
He pulled a gruesome prank on his sister.
His pranks have been too broad to bear with.c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene iv]:
The harpies […] played their accustomed pranks.1614, Walter Ralegh [i.e., Walter Raleigh], The Historie of the World […], London: […] William Stansby for Walter Burre, […], →OCLC, (please specify |book=1 to 5):
2
Obsolete An evil deed; a malicious trick, an act of cruel deception.
She played a cruel prank on him.
Lilius Geraldus ſaith,that Hercules after all his mad prankes vpon his wife and children, was perfectly cured by a purge of Hellebor,which an Anticyrian adminiſtred vnto him.1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], “Simples purging melancholy downeward”, in The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps, →OCLC, partition 2, section 4, member 2, subsection 2, page 311:
Origin uncertain. Perhaps from Middle English pranken (“to adorn, arrange one's attire”), probably from Middle Dutch pronken, proncken (“to flaunt, make a show, arrange one's attire”), related to German prangen (“to make a show, be resplendent”), Dutch prangen (“to squeeze, press”), Danish pragt (“pomp, splendor”), all from Proto-Germanic *pranganą, *prangijaną, *prag- (“to press, squeeze, thring”), from Proto-Indo-European *brengʰ- (“to press, squeeze”). Or, perhaps ultimately related to Proto-Germanic *brahtaz, similar to Dutch pracht (“splendor”), Swedish prakt (“glory, pomp”) (loaned from Low German). Cognate with Middle Low German prunken (“to flaunt”), German prunken (“to flaunt”), Danish prunke (“to make a show, prank”). Sense of "mischievous act" from earlier verbal sense of "to be crafty or subtle, set in order, adjust". See also prink, prance, prong.
1
To perform a practical joke on; to trick and make a fool of someone.
“If someone’s pranking me,” Rowlands remembered thinking, “they’re going to great lengths to make it work.”2007 May 13, Karen Crouse, “Still Invitation Only, but Jets Widen Door for Camp”, in New York Times:
2
To make a prank call to (someone).
3
Slang To call someone's phone and hang up before they answer, so as to send them a notification (of a missed call) without incurring fees.
Hey man, prank me when you wanna get picked up.
I don't have your number in my phone; can you prank me?
4
Archaic To adorn in a showy manner; to dress or equip ostentatiously.
In sumptuous tire she ioyd her selfe to prancke1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book II, Canto II”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie, →OCLC, stanza 36:
1748, James Thomson, The Castle of Indolence, B:II And there a Seaſon atween June and May, Half prankt with Spring, with Summer half imbrown'd, A liſtleſs Climate made, where, Sooth to ſay, No living Wight could work, ne cared even for Play.
1 more example
Flora, wanton-eyed For birth, and with all flowrets prankt and pied:1880, Dante Gabriel Rosetti, For Spring, by Sandro Botticelli, lines 2–3:
5
To make an ostentatious show.
White houses prank where once were huts.1867, Matthew Arnold, “Obermann Once More”, in New Poems: