v. & n.
v. 1 tr. roam (a place) in search or as if in search of prey, plunder, etc. 2 intr. (often foll. by about, around) move about like a hunter.
n. the act or an instance of prowling. on the prowl moving about secretively or rapaciously, esp. in search of sexual contact etc. prowl car US a police squad car. prowler n.
[ ME prolle, of unkn. orig. ]