Main Entry: ¹tout

Pronunciation: \ˈtau̇t, in sense 4 also ˈtüt\

Function: verb

Etymology: Middle English tuten to protrude, peer; probably akin to Old English tōtian to stick out, Norwegian tyte

Date: circa 1700

transitive verb 1 : to spy on : watch
2 a British : to spy out information about (as a racing stable or horse) b : to give a tip or solicit bets on (a racehorse)
3 : to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately <not meant to tout you off the movie — Russell Baker>
4 : to make much of : promote, talk up <touted as the summer's blockbuster movie> <the college's much touted women's studies program>intransitive verb 1 : to solicit patronage
2 a chiefly British : to spy on racehorses in training to gain information for betting b : to give a tip or solicit bets on a racehorse