transitive verb waylaid -·laid′, waylaying -·lay′·ing

1. to lie in wait for and attack; ambush
2. to wait for and accost (a person) on the way

Etymology: way + lay, after MLowG wegelagen, to waylay < wegelage, an ambush < weg, akin to way + lage, a lying < base of leggian; akin to lie