D defs.my
Entry 1 sense Webster, 1913

Eavesdropping

/ēv'-zdräpˌ-ĭng/ · Eaves·drop·ping · IPA /ˈivsˌdɹɒ.piŋ/
01 n. The habit of lurking about dwelling houses, and other places where persons meet for private intercourse, secretly listening to what is said…
  1. 1.
    The habit of lurking about dwelling houses, and other places where persons meet for private intercourse, secretly listening to what is said, and then tattling it abroad. The offense is indictable at common law.(Law)