pros·pect 
(prŏspĕkt′)
(prŏspĕkt′)n.
1. Something expected; a possibility.
2. prospects
a. Chances.
b. Financial expectations, especially of success.
3.
a. A potential customer, client, or purchaser.
b. A candidate deemed likely to succeed.
4. The direction in which an object, such as a building, faces; an outlook.
5. Something presented to the eye; a scene: a pleasant prospect.
6. The act of surveying or examining.
7.
a. The location or probable location of a mineral deposit.
b. An actual or probable mineral deposit.
c. The mineral yield obtained by working an ore.
v. pros·pect·ed, pros·pect·ing, pros·pects
v.tr.
To search for or explore (a region) for mineral deposits or oil.
v.intr.
To explore for mineral deposits or oil.
[Middle English prospecte, from Latin prōspectus, distant view, from past participle of prōspicere, to look out : prō-, forward; see PRO-1 + specere, to look at; see spek- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]