Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Scout \Scout\ (skout), n. [Icel. sk[=u]ta a small craft or
   cutter.]
   A swift sailing boat. [Obs.]

         So we took a scout, very much pleased with the manner
         and conversation of the passengers.      --Pepys.

Scout \Scout\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Scouted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Scouting}.]
   1. To observe, watch, or look for, as a scout; to follow for
      the purpose of observation, as a scout.

            Take more men, And scout him round.   --Beau. & Fl.

   2. To pass over or through, as a scout; to reconnoiter; as,
      to scout a country.

Scout \Scout\, n. [Icel. sk[=u]ta to jut out. Cf. {Scout} to
   reject.]
   A projecting rock. [Prov. Eng.] --Wright.

Scout \Scout\ (skout), v. t. [Icel. sk[=u]ta a taunt; cf. Icel.
   sk[=u]ta to jut out, skota to shove, skj[=o]ta to shoot, to
   shove. See {Shoot}.]
   To reject with contempt, as something absurd; to treat with
   ridicule; to flout; as, to scout an idea or an apology.
   ``Flout 'em and scout 'em.'' --Shak.

Scout \Scout\, v. i.
   To go on the business of scouting, or watching the motions of
   an enemy; to act as a scout.

         With obscure wing Scout far and wide into the realm of
         night.                                   --Milton.

Scout \Scout\, n. [OF. escoute scout, spy, fr. escouter,
   escolter, to listen, to hear, F. ['e]couter, fr. L.
   auscultare, to hear with attention, to listen to. See
   {Auscultation}.]
   1. A person sent out to gain and bring in tidings;
      especially, one employed in war to gain information of the
      movements and condition of an enemy.

            Scouts each coast light-arm[`e]d scour, Each
            quarter, to descry the distant foe.   --Milton.

   2. A college student's or undergraduate's servant; -- so
      called in Oxford, England; at Cambridge called a gyp; and
      at Dublin, a skip. [Cant]

   3. (Cricket) A fielder in a game for practice.

   4. The act of scouting or reconnoitering. [Colloq.]

            While the rat is on the scout.        --Cowper.

   Syn: {Scout}, {Spy}.

   Usage: In a military sense a scout is a soldier who does duty
          in his proper uniform, however hazardous his
          adventure. A spy is one who in disguise penetrates the
          enemies' lines, or lurks near them, to obtain
          information.

Scout \Scout\, n.
   A boy scout (which see, above).

Source : WordNet®

scout
     n 1: a person employed to watch for something to happen [syn: {lookout},
           {lookout man}, {sentinel}, {sentry}, {watch}, {spotter},
           {picket}]
     2: someone employed to discover and recruit talented persons
        (especially in the worlds of entertainment or sports)
        [syn: {talent scout}]
     3: someone who can find paths through unexplored territory
        [syn: {pathfinder}, {guide}]

scout
     v : explore, often with the goal of finding something or
         somebody [syn: {reconnoiter}, {reconnoitre}]