Loitering

[loi-ter] /ˈlɔɪ tər/

verb (used without object)
1.
to linger aimlessly or as if aimless in or about a place:
to loiter around the bus terminal.
2.
to move in a slow, idle manner, making purposeless stops in the course of a trip, journey, errand, etc.:
to loiter on the way to work.
3.
to waste time or dawdle over work:
He loiters over his homework until one in the morning.
verb (used with object)
4.
to pass (time) in an idle or aimless manner (usually followed by away):
to loiter away the afternoon in daydreaming.
/ˈlɔɪtə/
verb
1.
(intransitive) to stand or act aimlessly or idly
n.

mid-14c., verbal noun from loiter.
v.

early 15c., “idle one’s time, dawdle over work,” from Middle Dutch loteren “be loose or erratic, shake, totter” like a loose tooth or a sail in a storm; in modern Dutch, leuteren “to delay, linger, loiter over one’s work.” Probably cognate with Old English lutian “lurk,” and related to Old English loddere “beggar;” Old High German lotar “empty, vain,” luzen “lurk;” German Lotterbube “vagabond, rascal,” lauschen “eavesdrop;” Gothic luton “mislead;” Old English lyðre “base, bad, wicked.” Related: Loitered; loitering.