I. ˈprau̇l, esp before pause or consonant -au̇əl verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English prollen
intransitive verb
: to move about or wander stealthily in the manner of a wild beast seeking prey : roam in search of as if in search of whatever may be found : pace restlessly back and forth
submarines were prowling along our coast — Owen Wister
the fear still prowls in her consciousness — Ellen Glasgow
the foreman … prowling constantly about — Theodore Dreiser
prowls as he talks — T.R.Ybarra
loved to prowl about the city
transitive verb
: to roam over (an area) in a predatory manner
wolves prowl the forest
the bloodthirstiest villain that ever prowled the Western highways — Herbert Asbury
II. noun
( -s )
: an act or instance of prowling
his jubilant prowl through … attics — C.G.Poore
— often used in the phrase on the prowl
a rapacious divorcee on the prowl — Helen Howe