Moving in a shuttle-like manner, while advancing forward

Is there a single-word equivalent of moving in a shuttle-like manner while advancing forward, like Corker Spaniels do?

I initially contemplated using the word "to shuttle" but for me it has connotations of moving back and forth rather than from side to side while advancing. The point is in searching terrain in this manner.

Solution 1:

I would suggest zigzag: to proceed by sharp turns in alternating directions.

There's also the nautical term tack. A ship which tacks is going alternately left and right in order to advance, but tack also implies that it is turning into the wind in order to do so, and that wouldn't be necessarily be true of dogs.

Solution 2:

It depends what the dog is actually doing, if it is zigzagging over a large area, then it is "quartering [the ground]"

OED 9. a. transitive. To range or traverse (ground, etc.) in every direction; said esp. of dogs in search of game, .... Also intransitive: to range to and fro in this way; to move from point to point.

1873 G. C. Davies Mountain, Meadow & Mere x. 76 The hounds quartered to and fro.

1888 Antipod. Notes 6 Two boats are..quartering the sea, as a..pointer quarters a turnip-field.

1991 Sporting Dog Jan. 14/1 Watching trained dogs quarter the moors in search of the elusive grouse.