stalk

intransitive verb

1. 1. to walk in a stiff, haughty, or grim manner
   2. to advance or spread grimly plague stalks across the land
2. to pursue or approach game, an enemy, etc. stealthily, as from cover
3. Obsolete to walk or move along stealthily or furtively

Etymology: ME stalken < OE stealcian (in comp.) < stealc, high, steep < IE *stelg- < base *stel-, to place, set up > still, Gr stellein

transitive verb

1. to pursue or approach (game, prey, etc.) stealthily
2. to stalk through terror stalked the streets
3. to follow or pursue (another person) persistently in a harassing and, typically, obsessive way

noun

1. a slow, stiff, haughty, or grim stride
2. the act of stalking game, an enemy, etc.

noun

1. any stem or stemlike part, as a slender rod, shaft, or support
2. Bot.
   1. the main stem or axis of a plant
   2. a lengthened part of a plant on which an organ grows or is supported, as the petiole of a leaf, the peduncle of a flower, etc.
3. Zool.
   1. a lengthened support for an animal organ
   2. a similar structure supporting a whole animal body, as the peduncle of a goose barnacle

Etymology: ME stalke, akin to OE stealc, high, steep < IE *stelg- < base *stel-: see still