prowl

/ˈpraʊ(wə)l/

/praʊl/

Other forms: prowling; prowled; prowls

If you move stealthily — like you're looking for something to prey on — then you prowl. Your cat might prowl around the room and pounce on your feet, which is cute if you're awake, but annoying when you're asleep.

The noun prowl means the act of moving as if to capture prey. You could take a prowl through the music shop and try to find your favorite vintage album. Prowl is also used in the phrase "on the prowl," which implies that the person doing the prowling is looking for a romantic partner. Your idea of a fun Saturday night might be staying home while your friends go on the prowl at the dance club.

Definitions of prowl

1. verb

   move about in or as if in a predatory manner
   “The suspicious stranger prowls the streets of the town”

   type of:

   walk

   use one's feet to advance; advance by steps
2. noun

   the act of prowling (walking about in a stealthy manner)
   type of:

   walk, walking

   the act of traveling by foot
3. verb

   loiter about, with no apparent aim
   synonyms: lurch

   type of:

   footle, hang around, lallygag, linger, loaf, loiter, lollygag, lounge, lurk, mess about, mill about, mill around, tarry

   be about