espy

[ih-spahy] /ɪˈspaɪ/
verb (used with object), espied, espying.
1.
to see at a distance; catch sight of.
Origin
1175-1225; Middle English espyen < Old French espier ≪ Germanic; compare German spähen to spy
Related forms
unespied, adjective
Synonyms
discern, descry, discover, perceive, make out.

Espy

[es-pee] /ˈɛs pi/
noun
1.
James Pollard
[pol-erd] /ˈpɒl ərd/ (Show IPA), 1785–1860, U.S. meteorologist.
British Dictionary definitions for espy

espy

/ɪˈspaɪ/
verb -pies, -pying, -pied
1.
(transitive) to catch sight of or perceive (something distant or previously unnoticed); detect: to espy a ship on the horizon
Derived Forms
espier, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old French espier to spy, of Germanic origin
Word Origin and History for espy
v.

early 13c., aspy, from Old French espier (12c., Modern French épier), from Vulgar Latin *spiare, from a Germanic source (cf. Old High German spehon "to spy;" see spy). Related: Espied. For initial e-, see especial.

espy in Science
Espy
  (ěs'pē)   
American meteorologist who is credited with the first correct explanation of the role heat plays in cloud formation and growth. His use of the telegraph in relaying meteorological observations and tracking storms laid the foundation for modern weather forecasting.