Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Eavesdropping \Eaves"drop`ping\, n. (Law)
   The habit of lurking about dwelling houses, and other places
   where persons meet fro private intercourse, secretly
   listening to what is said, and then tattling it abroad. The
   offense is indictable at common law. --Wharton.

Source : WordNet®

eavesdrop
     v : listen without the speaker's knowledge; "the jealous man was
         eavesdropping on his wife's conversations" [syn: {listen
         in}]
     [also: {eavesdropping}, {eavesdropped}]

eavesdropping
     See {eavesdrop}