WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
prowl•er
(prou′lər),USA pronunciation n.
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025- a person or animal that prowls.
- a person who goes stealthily about with some unlawful intention, as to commit a burglary or theft.
- prowl + -er1 1510–20
prowl /praʊl/USA pronunciation
v.
prowl•er, n. [countable]
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025- to go about or move around in a quiet, sneaky way, as in search of something to steal or capture: [no object]The neighbor's cat prowls around the garbage cans all night.[~ + object]The gang was out prowling the streets.
- Idioms on the prowl, in the act of prowling;
searching stealthily.
prowl•er, n. [countable]
prowl
(proul),USA pronunciation v.i.
v.t.
n.
prowl′ing•ly, adv.
- to rove or go about stealthily, as in search of prey, something to steal, etc.
v.t.
- to rove over or through in search of what may be found:The cat prowled the alleys in search of food.
n.
- act of prowling.
- Idioms on the prowl, in the act of prowling;
searching stealthily:The cat is on the prowl for mice.
- ?
- Middle English prollen 1350–1400
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged roam. See lurk.