spook

【原文】
The decline in shopper traffic spooked retailers including Express Inc. EXPR +0.66% and prompted them to aggressively boost promotions and slash prices during the holidays, a move that dented profit margins and weighed on earnings forecasts, retailers said.

【単語の意味（英語）】
frighten a person or animal; become frightened

【単語の意味（日本語）】
～を怯えさせる；幽霊、おばけ