I. ˈtau̇t, in sense 4 also ˈtüt verb
Etymology: Middle English tuten to protrude, peer; probably akin to Old English tōtian to stick out, Norwegian tyte
Date: circa 1700
transitive verb
1. : to spy on : watch
2.
a. British : to spy out information about (as a racing stable or horse)
b. : to give a tip or solicit bets on (a racehorse)
3. : to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately
not meant to tout you off the movie — Russell Baker
4. : to make much of : promote , talk up
tout ed as the summer's blockbuster movie
the college's much tout ed women's studies program
intransitive verb
1. : to solicit patronage
2.
a. chiefly British : to spy on racehorses in training to gain information for betting
b. : to give a tip or solicit bets on a racehorse
II. noun
Date: 1853
: one who touts: as
a. : one who solicits patronage
b. chiefly British : one who spies out racing information for betting purposes
c. : one who gives tips or solicits bets on a racehorse