Definition of stalker

The word "stalker" has its origins in the mid-19th century. Initially, it referred to a person who tracked or hunted wolves or other game. This sense of the word is derived from the Old English word "stael" meaning "to stalk" or "to track". In the early 20th century, the term "stalker" began to be used in the context of surveillance, particularly in the context of hunting or tracking humans. This sense of the word gained popularity in the 1970s and 1980s with the rise of subspecies of human hunters, such as taxidermists and big game hunters, who would track and pursue wild animals. In modern times, the term "stalker" has taken on a new connotation, specifically referring to someone who persistently follows or harasses another person, often without their consent.