Merriam-Webster's Collegiate® Dictionary, 11th Edition
STARE
I. verb (stared; staring)
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English starian; akin to Old High German starēn to stare, Greek stereos solid, Lithuanian starinti to stiffen Date: before 12th century intransitive verb to look fixedly often with wide-open eyes, to show oneself conspicuously , to stand on end ; bristle , transitive verb to have an effect on by staring, to look at with a searching or earnest gaze, starer noun
II. noun
Date: 15th century
the act or an instance of staring