loiter

 
Pronunciation: /ˈlɔɪtə/

verb

[no object, with adverbial of place]
  • stand or wait around without apparent purpose: she saw Mary loitering near the cloakrooms
  • [with adverbial of direction] walk slowly and with no apparent purpose; dawdle: the weather had tempted them to loiter along the banks of the Cherwell

Phrases

loiter with intent

English Law, dated stand or wait around with the intention of committing an offence.

Derivatives

loiterer

noun

Origin:

late Middle English: perhaps from Middle Dutch loteren 'wag about'