Stalking

Stalk Stalk, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Stalked} (st[add]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Stalking}.] [AS. st[ae]lcan, stealcian to go slowly; cf. stealc high, elevated, Dan. stalke to stalk; probably akin to 1st stalk.] 1. To walk slowly and cautiously; to walk in a stealthy, noiseless manner; -- sometimes used with a reflexive pronoun. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Into the chamber he stalked him full still. --Chaucer. [1913 Webster]

[Bertran] stalks close behind her, like a witch's fiend, Pressing to be employed. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

2. To walk behind something as a screen, for the purpose of approaching game; to proceed under cover. [1913 Webster]

The king . . . crept under the shoulder of his led horse; . . . ``I must stalk,'' said he. --Bacon. [1913 Webster]

One underneath his horse, to get a shoot doth stalk. --Drayton. [1913 Webster]

3. To walk with high and proud steps; -- usually implying the affectation of dignity, and indicating dislike. The word is used, however, especially by the poets, to express dignity of step. [1913 Webster]

With manly mien he stalked along the ground. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]

Then stalking through the deep, He fords the ocean. --Addison. [1913 Webster]

I forbear myself from entering the lists in which he has long stalked alone and unchallenged. --Merivale. [1913 Webster]