overhear

verb (used with object), o·ver·heard, o·ver·hear·ing.

1. to hear (speech or a speaker) without the speaker’s intention or knowledge: I accidentally overheard what they were saying.

verb -hears, -hearing or -heard

1. (tr) to hear (a person, remark, etc) without the knowledge of the speaker

v.“to hear what one is not meant to hear,” 1540s, from over- + hear. The notion is perhaps “to hear beyond the intended range of the voice.” Old English oferhieran also meant “to not listen, to disregard, disobey” (cf. overlook for negative force of over; also Middle High German überhaeren, Middle Dutch overhoren in same sense). Related: Overheard; overhearing.