Main Entry: ²stalk

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English, from Old English bestealcian; akin to Old English stelan to steal — more at steal

Date: 14th century

intransitive verb 1 : to pursue quarry or prey stealthily
2 : to walk stiffly or haughtilytransitive verb 1 : to pursue by stalking
2 : to go through (an area) in search of prey or quarry <stalk the woods for deer>
3 : to pursue obsessively and to the point of harassment

— stalk·er noun