prowl Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the act of prowling (walking about in a stealthy manner)
  2. verb move about in or as if in a predatory manner
    • The suspicious stranger prowls the streets of the town
  3. verb loiter about, with no apparent aim
    lurch.

WordNet

Prowl transitive verb
Etymology
OE. prollen to search about; of uncertain origin, perh. for proglen, a dim. of prog to beg, or proke to poke. Cf. Proke.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Prowled ; present participle & verbal noun Prowling
Definitions
  1. To rove over, through, or about in a stealthy manner; esp., to search in, as for prey or booty.
    He prowls each place, still in new colors decked. Sir P. Sidney.
  2. To collect by plunder; as, to prowl money. Obs.
Prowl intransitive verb
Definitions
  1. To rove or wander stealthily, esp. for prey, as a wild beast; hence, to prey; to plunder.
Prowl noun
Definitions
  1. The act of prowling. Colloq. Smart.

Webster 1913