Stakeout (noun)

1. A police surveillance operation in which officers watch a location in order to observe and arrest suspects.
2. A period of waiting in a concealed location to observe someone or something.

Origin:

derived from the word "stake" which means a long, pointed stick or post and "out" which means to be outside.

Examples:

1. The police conducted a stakeout at the suspect's house in order to gather evidence.
2. The detectives were on a stakeout for several hours waiting for the suspect to appear.
3. The stakeout was unsuccessful and the suspect was not apprehended.
4. The thief was caught during a stakeout by the undercover police officers.
5. The private investigator was on a stakeout to gather evidence for a divorce case.