sleuth

 
Pronunciation: /sluːθ/
informal

noun

  • a detective: they make MI5 look like a bunch of amateur sleuths

verb

[no object] (often as noun sleuthing)
  • carry out a search or investigation in the manner of a detective: scientists began their genetic sleuthing for honey mushrooms four years ago
  • [with object] dated investigate (someone or something): I am not sleuthing you

Origin:

Middle English (originally in the sense 'track', in sleuth-hound): from Old Norse slóth; compare with slot2. Current senses date from the late 19th century