Scout  —n. 1 soldier etc. Sent ahead to get esp. Military intelligence. 2 search for this. 3 = *talent-scout. 4 (also scout) member of the scout association, an (orig. Boys') association intended to develop character. 5 domestic worker at an oxford college. —v. 1 (often foll. By for) go about searching for information etc. 2 (foll. By about, around) make a search. 3 (often foll. By out) colloq. Explore to get information about (territory etc.).  scouting n. [french escoute(r) from latin ausculto listen]