to go or move in a stealthy or cautious manner.

to act cautiously or timidly, as if afraid to commit oneself on a point at issue.

a person with a catlike, or soft and stealthy, tread.

Chiefly British . a teetotaler or prohibitionist.

verb

plod

verb

avoid , beat around the bush , be noncommittal , creep , dodge , duck the issues , equivocate , evade , glide , hedge , hem and haw * , lurk , play it close to the vest , prevaricate , prowl , shuffle , sidestep , sit on the fence , skirt * , skulk , slide , slink , slip , sneak , steal , tergiversate , tergiverse , tiptoe , tread warily , watch one’s step , weasel * , mouse , snake , euphemize , weasel