Closely tracking

SHADOWING

Think of how a detective might discreetly follow someone without being noticed, often used in surveillance or espionage.

"Shadowing" fits because it directly means closely following or tracking someone, like a detective tailing a suspect or a spy keeping tabs on a target. The word itself hints at staying near enough to observe without being seen, which aligns perfectly with the idea of careful, discreet monitoring. There’s no hidden wordplay here—it’s a straightforward definition where the answer mirrors the clue’s meaning.