scout1

noun

• 1a soldier or other person sent out ahead of a main force so as to gather information about the enemy’s position, strength, or movements.
• a ship or aircraft employed for reconnaissance, especially a small fast aircraft.
• short for talent scout.
• [usually in singular] an instance of gathering information, especially by reconnoitering an area:I returned from a lengthy scout around the area

• 2 (also Scout) a Boy Scout or Girl Scout.

• 3 informal dated a man or boy:I’ve got nothing against Harrison—he’s a good scout

• 4a domestic worker at a college at Oxford University.

verb

• make a search for someone or something in various places:I was sent to scout around for a place to park the camper we scouted for clues
• (especially of a soldier) go ahead of a main force so as to gather information about an enemy’s position, strength, or movements.
• [with object] explore or examine (a place or area of business) so as to gather information about it:American companies are keen to scout out business opportunities
• look for suitably talented people for recruitment to one’s own organization or sports team:Johnson has been scouting for the Pirates