1. To move about stealthily or in a predatory manner: This is the most common meaning. It usually implies a hunt for prey, whether animal or metaphorical.
* Example: The lion prowled the savanna, searching for a gazelle.
* Example: The detective prowled the alleyway, looking for clues.
2. To walk or move around restlessly: This meaning implies aimless wandering, often with a sense of anxiety or purposefulness.
* Example: The dog prowled the house, looking for his owner.
* Example: I couldn't sleep, so I just prowled the room, trying to find something to do.
3. To cruise or drive around aimlessly, often looking for someone to pick up: This is a slang usage, particularly in the context of cars and pickup trucks.
* Example: He spent all night prowling the streets, trying to find a date.
Overall, "prowl" often suggests a sense of movement with a hidden agenda or purpose, whether it's hunting, seeking, or simply restlessness.