† escoutn.
Obsolete.
1. Look-out, watch. [Cf. Old French se mettre aux escoutes.]
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > safety > protection or defence > watching or keeping guard > [noun] > as a watchman or sentinel
wardOE
day watchOE
watch1377
watch and ward1390
wakingc1440
scout-watch1464
watching and warding1579
sentinel1585
day ward1597
romboyle1612
escouta1627
sentry1639
watchment1740
wardage1878
sentry-go1880
sentry-going1901
a1627 J. Hayward Life & Raigne Edward Sixt (1630) 29 They were well entrenched, having good escout abroad and sure watch within.
2. A scout n.4, spy.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > enquiry > investigation, inspection > secret observation, spying > [noun] > a secret observer, spy > a spy or scout
spy13..
espierc1384
espialc1386
especiala1500
espya1500
watchmanc1515
escout1560
espioun1636
emissary1663
telegraph1825
1560 J. Daus tr. J. Sleidane Comm. The escoutes that were sent out to knowe whiche waye the Emperour went, brought contrary reportes.
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxii. xxviii. 449 Intelligence given him..by meanes of his owne escouts and spies.
1603 P. Holland tr. Plutarch Morals 1329 Those be the Dæmons which are their [the gods'] espies and escouts.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
† escoutv.
Obsolete. rare.
intransitive. To act as a scout, explore, reconnoitre.
ΚΠ
1600 P. Holland tr. Livy Rom. Hist. xxii. xv. 441 Having sent out to escout and espie 400 horsemen of confederats.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1891; most recently modified version published online June 2021).
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n.1560v.1600