Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - tout

 I. verb  Etymology: Middle English tuten to protrude, peer; probably akin to Old English totian to stick out, Norwegian tyte  Date: circa 1700  transitive verb  1. to spy on ; watch  2.  a. British to spy out information about (as a racing stable or horse)  b. to give a tip or solicit bets on (a racehorse)  3. to solicit, peddle, or persuade importunately not meant to ~ you off the movie — Russell Baker  4. to make much of ; promote, talk up ~ed as the summer's blockbuster movie the college's much ~ed women's studies program  intransitive verb  1. to solicit patronage  2.  a. chiefly British to spy on racehorses in training to gain information for betting  b. to give a tip or solicit bets on a racehorse  II. noun  Date: 1853 one who ~s: as  a. one who solicits patronage  b. chiefly British one who spies out racing information for betting purposes  c. one who gives tips or solicits bets on a racehorse