1. a detective or investigator
Usage: informal
2. a rubber overshoe or galosh
Usage: dated

1. to work as a detective or investigate
Usage: informal

Examples

• The private gumshoe followed the suspect for three days.
• She hired a gumshoe to find her missing brother.
• He put on his gumshoes before walking through the puddles.
• The old detective novel featured a hard-boiled gumshoe.
• The reporter decided to gumshoe around the neighborhood for clues.
• Every good gumshoe needs patience and attention to detail.