I. ˈēvzˌdräp sometimes -vˌd- verb
Etymology: probably back-formation from eavesdropper
intransitive verb
: to listen secretly to what is said in private — usually used with on
eavesdropping on the senate conference
he hid under the table and eavesdropped on his sister and her sweetheart
transitive verb
1. archaic : to learn or overhear by eavesdropping
2. : to eavesdrop on (as a conversation)
I've just eavesdropped two demographers or geopoliticians — Christopher Morley
II. noun
also eaves·drip -ˌdrip
Etymology: eavesdrop from Middle English evesdrop, from eves + drop; eavesdrip from eaves + drip
1. : the water that falls in drops from the eaves of a house
2. : the ground on which the water falls from the eaves
3. : a servitude formerly required in England before one could build so that water from one's eaves could fall directly on the land of another