/ praʊl; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
( of an animal ) to move quietly and carefully around an area, especially when hunting :
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ]
The tiger prowled through the undergrowth.
[also vn ]
2.
to move quietly and carefully around an area, especially with the intention of committing a crime :
[ v , usually + adv. / prep. ]
A man was seen prowling around outside the factory just before the fire started.
[also vn ]
3.
to walk around a room, an area, etc., especially because you are bored, anxious, etc., and cannot relax :
[ vn ]
He prowled the empty rooms of the house at night.
[also v + adv. / prep. ]
■ noun
•
IDIOMS
- (be / go) on the prowl
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : of unknown origin.