Scout

[O. Fr. escout, spy, from escouter, escolter, N. Fr. écouter, to listen, to hear, Pr. escoutar, Sp. escuchar, It. ascoltare, scoltare, Lat. auscultare, to hear with attention, to listen to; It. ascolta, scolta, Sp. escucha, a watch.] 1. A person sent out to gain and bring in tidings; especially, one employed in war to gain information of the movements and condition of an enemy; a spy. Scouts each coast light-arm'd scour, Each quarter, to descry the distant foe. Milton.

2. A college servant or waiter. [Cant at Oxford University.]
3. A high rock. [Obs.]
4. A swift sailing boat. [Obs.]

So we took a scout, very much pleased with the manner and conversation of the passengers. Pepys.

[imp. & p. p. SCOUTED; p. pr. & vb. n. SCOUTING.] [Cf. Prov. Eng. scout, to pelt.] 1. To spy out; to watch for; to observe closely. Take more men, And scout him round. B. Jonson.

2. To pass over or through, for the purpose of spying out; to reconnoiter; as, to scout a country.
3. To sneer at; to treat with contempt; to reject with disdain; to hoot at.