lapiner

Senses

1. 1.

   to catch rabbits

   to hunt or trap rabbits

2. 2.

   to prowl about

   to move quietly or sneakily, as if hunting

Examples

• "Les enfants vont lapiner dans la campagne."

  The children go rabbiting in the countryside.

• "Il lapine autour de la grange en attendant sa chance."

  He prowls around the barn waiting for his chance.

• "Autrefois, on lapinait pour attraper des lapins à manger."

  Long ago, people would hunt rabbits to catch them for food.

Usage

Somewhat regional or rural in usage. Derived from *lapin* (rabbit). The verb can be literal (hunting rabbits) or figurative (lurking, skulking about). More common in older texts or rural French dialects.