noun a spy; a scout.
2. espy ·vt to inspect narrowly; to examine and keep watch upon; to watch; to observe.
3. espy ·vi to look or search narrowly; to look about; to watch; to take notice; to spy.
4. espy ·vt to catch sight of; to perceive with the eyes; to discover, as a distant object partly concealed, or not obvious to notice; to see at a glance; to discern unexpectedly; to spy; as, to espy land; to espy a man in a crowd.