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peer

1. To come in sight; to appear. So honor peereth in the meanest habit. (Shak) See how his gorget peers above his gown! (B. Jonson)

2. [Perh. A different word; cf. OE. Piren, LG. Piren. Cf. Pry to peep] To look narrowly or curiously or intently; to peep; as, the peering day. Peering in maps for ports, and piers, and roads. (Shak) As if through a dungeon grate he peered. (Coleridge)

Origin: OF. Parir, pareir equiv. To F. Paraitre to appear, L. Parere. Cf. Appear.