Stalk'ing-hōrse, n.

(stawk'-), n. 1. A horse, or a figure resembling a horse, behind which a fowler conceals himself from the sight of the game which he is aiming to kill. 2. Hence, something used to cover up a secret project; a mask; a pretense. Hypocrisy is the devil's stalking-horse, under an affectation of simplicity and religion. L'Estrange.