/ taʊt; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] tout sb/sth (as sth) to try to persuade people that sb/sth is important or valuable by praising them / it :
She's being touted as the next leader of the party.
2.
tout (for sth) ( especially BrE ) to try to persuade people to buy your goods or services, especially by going to them and asking them directly :
[ v ]
the problem of unlicensed taxi drivers touting for business at airports
[ vn ]
He's busy touting his client's latest book around London's literary agents.
3.
[ v , vn ] ( BrE ) ( NAmE scalp ) to sell tickets for a popular event illegally, at a price that is higher than the official price, especially outside a theatre, stadium , etc.
■ noun
(also ˈticket tout ) (both BrE ) ( NAmE scalp·er ) a person who buys tickets for concerts, sports events, etc. and then sells them to other people at a higher price
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English tute look out , of Germanic origin; related to Dutch tuit spout, nozzle. Later senses were watch, spy on (late 17th cent.) and solicit custom (mid 18th cent.). The noun was first recorded (early 18th cent.) in the slang use thieves' lookout .