re·con·noi·ter 
(rē′kə-noitər, rĕk′ə-)
(rē′kə-noitər, rĕk′ə-)v. re·con·noi·tered, re·con·noi·ter·ing, re·con·noi·ters
v.tr.
To make a preliminary examination of (an area or a group, for example), usually by moving around and observing, in order to gather information, especially for military purposes: reconnoitered the enemy positions.
v.intr.
To make a reconnaissance or preliminary examination.
n.
An act of reconnoitering.
[Obsolete French reconnoître, from Old French reconoistre, to recognize; see RECOGNIZE.]
re′con·noiter·er n.