n.
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English be stealcian; akin to Old English stelan to steal ― more at STEAL
Date: 14th century
intransitive verb
1 : to pursue quarry or prey stealthily
2 : to walk stiffly or haughtily
transitive verb
1 : to pursue by stalking
2 : to go through (an area) in search of prey or quarry < stalk the woods for deer>
3 : to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment
– stalk · er noun