tout

I. verb Etymology: Middle English tuten to protrude, peer; probably akin to Old English tōtian to stick out, Norwegian tyte Date: circa 1700 transitive verb 1. to spy on ; watch 2. a. British to spy out information about (as a racing stable or horse) b. to give a tip or solicit bets on (a racehorse) 3. to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately <

not meant to tout you off the movie — Russell Baker

> 4. to make much of ; promote, talk up <

touted as the summer's blockbuster movie

> <

the college's much touted women's studies program

> intransitive verb 1. to solicit patronage 2. a. chiefly British to spy on racehorses in training to gain information for betting b. to give a tip or solicit bets on a racehorse II. noun Date: 1853 one who touts: as a. one who solicits patronage b. chiefly British one who spies out racing information for betting purposes c. one who gives tips or solicits bets on a racehorse