Synonyms for scout

a person employed to keep watch for some anticipated event (noun)

• lookout
• sentinel
• sentry
• watch
• spotter
• picket

someone employed to discover and recruit talented persons (especially in the worlds of entertainment or sports) (noun)

someone who can find paths through unexplored territory (noun)

• pathfinder
• guide

explore, often with the goal of finding something or somebody (verb)

• reconnoiter
• reconnoitre