The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hoax \Hoax\, n. [Prob. contr. fr. hocus, in hocus-pocus.]
   A deception for mockery or mischief; a deceptive trick or
   story; a practical joke. --Macaulay.
   [1913 Webster]

The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Hoax \Hoax\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hoaxed; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Hoaxing.]
   To deceive by a story or a trick, for sport or mischief; to
   impose upon sportively. --Lamb.
   [1913 Webster]

WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

hoax
    n 1: something intended to deceive; deliberate trickery intended
         to gain an advantage [syn: fraud, fraudulence,
         dupery, hoax, humbug, put-on]
    v 1: subject to a playful hoax or joke [syn: hoax, pull
         someone's leg, play a joke on]