descry

v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Descried p. pr. & vb. n. Descrying. ] [ OE. descrien, discrien, to espy, prob. from the proclaiming of what was espied, fr. OF. descrier to proclaim, cry down, decry, F. décrier. The word was confused somewhat with OF. descriven, E. describe, OF. descrivre, from L. describere. See Decry. ] 1. To spy out or discover by the eye, as objects distant or obscure; to espy; to recognize; to discern; to discover. [ 1913 Webster ]

And the house of Joseph sent to descry Bethel. Judg. i. 23. [ 1913 Webster ]

Edmund, I think, is gone . . . to descry
The strength o' the enemy. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

And now their way to earth they had descried. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To discover; to disclose; to reveal. [ R. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

His purple robe he had thrown aside, lest it should descry him. Milton.

Syn. -- To see; behold; espy; discover; discern. [ 1913 Webster ]