I. ˈstȯk noun
Etymology: Middle English stalke; akin to Old English stela stalk, support
Date: 14th century
1. : a slender upright object or supporting or connecting part ; especially : peduncle
2.
a. : the main stem of an herbaceous plant often with its dependent parts
b. : a part of a plant (as a petiole or stipe) that supports another
• stalked ˈstȯkt adjective
• stalk·less ˈstȯ-kləs adjective
• stalky ˈstȯ-kē adjective
II. 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
III. noun
Date: 14th century
1. : the act of stalking
2. : a stalking gait