Prowl
/praʊl/noun
To move about stealthily, especially in search of prey or an opportunity.
Did you know?Prowl is a cousin of words built on the same ancient root behind Latin plorare, meaning “to cry out,” showing how a sound-root can split into both loudness and stealth in different branches.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*pleu-
“to flow, float, or move lightly”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*prūlōną
“to move about, prowl, creep”
Middle English
English
prollen / proulen
“to creep or move stealthily”
14th Century
English
prowl
“to wander or move about with intent, often stealthily”
Modern English
English
prowl
“to move about quietly and watchfully, often in search of prey or a target”