reconnoiter

[ ree-kuh-noi-ter, rek-uh- ]

/ ˌri kəˈnɔɪ tər, ˌrɛk ə- /

to inspect, observe, or survey (the enemy, the enemy's strength or position, a region, etc.) in order to gain information for military purposes.

to examine or survey (a region, area, etc.) for engineering, geological, or other purposes.

Nearby words

1700–10; < French reconnoître (now obsolete) to explore, Middle French reconoistre. See recognize

re·con·noi·ter·er, nounun·re·con·noi·tered, adjective

Before exposing ourselves on top of the hill we crawled and stuck just our heads up, Indian scouts fashion, to reconnoiter.
Pluck on the Long Trail|Edwin L. Sabin
Corporal Elliott, while we are attending to the prisoners you go on ahead and reconnoiter.
Si Klegg, Book 5 (of 6)|John McElroy
All the crew were safe, and Hobson expected that in time some Spanish officers would come out to reconnoiter the channel.
Historic Adventures|Rupert S. Holland
Tupper had previously sent Logan and six other Indians to reconnoiter, and did not seem willing to go until they returned.
Narrative of the Suffering and Defeat of the North-Western Army, Under General Winchester|William Atherton

"I will reconnoiter our position while you make your toilet," she said, and slipped out of sight among the trees.
The Girl from Alsace|Burton Egbert Stevenson