eavesdropping

noun
eaves·​drop·​ping | \ ˈēvz-ˌdrä-piŋ How to pronounce eavesdropping (audio) \

Definition of eavesdropping

: the act of secretly listening to something private Highly sophisticated means of electronic eavesdropping were developed and put into use, largely uncontrolled by the law.— Wayne R. LaFave & Jerold H. Israel For a moment, I was worried he'd found out about my eavesdropping the night before, but that didn't seem to be the problem.— Rick Riordan

First Known Use of eavesdropping

1641, in the meaning defined above

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