/gum"shooh'/ , n. , v. , gumshoed, gumshoeing .
n.
1. Slang. a detective.
2. a shoe made of gum elastic or India rubber; rubber overshoe.
3. sneaker (def. 1).
v.i.
4. Slang.
a. to work as a detective.
b. to go softly, as if wearing rubber shoes; move or act snoopily or stealthily.
[ 1860-65, Amer.; GUM 1 + SHOE ]