prowl
UK: praʊl | US: praʊl
vi. to move around quietly and secretly, especially when hunting or searching for something
vt. to roam or wander stealthily, as in search of prey or opportunity
n. the act of prowling
The word "prowl" originated in the late 14th century, derived from the Middle English prowen, meaning "to roam or search." The addition of the frequentative suffix "-l" gave it the sense of continuous or stealthy movement, often associated with animals like cats or thieves. Over time, it evolved to describe any secretive or cautious wandering, whether literal (e.g., a predator) or metaphorical (e.g., someone loitering with intent).
The cat began to prowl around the garden at dusk.
Security cameras caught a man prowling near the parked cars.
Wolves prowl the forest at night in search of prey.
She felt uneasy when she noticed someone prowling outside her window.
The detective prowled the streets, looking for clues.