lurk

 
Pronunciation: /ləːk/

verb

[no object, with adverbial of place]
  • be or remain hidden so as to wait in ambush for someone or something: a ruthless killer still lurked in the darkness
  • (of an unpleasant quality) be present in a latent or barely discernible state, although still presenting a threat: danger lurks beneath the surface (as adjective lurking) he lives with a lurking fear of exposure as a fraud
  • [no object] informal read the postings on an Internet message board or in a chat room without making any contribution oneself.

noun

Australian/NZ informal
  • a profitable stratagem; a dodge or scheme: you’ll soon learn the lurks and perks

Derivatives

lurker

noun

Origin:

Middle English: perhaps from lour + the frequentative suffix -k (as in talk). The noun is from British slang lurk 'method of fraud'