ə̇ˈspī(ə)l, eˈ- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English espiaille, from Middle French, from espier to spy + -aille -al — more at spy
1. : the act of spying or watching : observation
Gabriel withdrew from his point of espial — Thomas Hardy
2. obsolete : one that espies : spy , scout : a scouting party
3. : an act of espying or being espied : notice , discovery , detection