Provoke pointer (6)
I believe the answer is:
needle
I believe this is a double definition.
'provoke' is the first definition.
(needling is a kind of provoking)
'pointer' is the second definition.
(needle is a kind of pointer)
(Other definitions for needle that I've seen before include "Implement for knitting and sewing" , "joint" , "Slender pointer" , "Irritate, goad" , "Informal name for hypodermic syringe" .)