tout1

 
Pronunciation: /taʊt/

verb

  • 1 [with object] attempt to sell (something), typically by a direct or persistent approach: Sanjay was touting his wares [no object]: shop managers would stand in the street touting for business
  • attempt to persuade people of the merits of: she was touted as a potential Prime Minister
  • British sell (a ticket) for an event at a price higher than the official one: he made his fortune touting tickets
  • 2 [no object] North American offer racing tips for a share of any resulting winnings.
  • [with object] chiefly British spy out the movements and condition of (a racehorse in training) in order to gain information to be used when betting.

noun

  • 1 (also ticket tout) British a person who buys up tickets for an event to resell them at a profit.
  • a person soliciting custom or business, typically in a direct or persistent manner.
  • 2North American a person who offers racing tips for a share of any resulting winnings.
  • 3Northern Irish & Scottish informal an informer.

Derivatives

touter

noun

Origin:

Middle English tute 'look out', of Germanic origin; related to Dutch tuit 'spout, nozzle'. Later senses were 'watch, spy on' (late 17th century) and 'solicit custom' (mid 18th century). The noun was first recorded (early 18th century) in the slang use 'thieves' lookout'