Reconnaissance or scouting was the act of exploring untouched lands or regions to gain preliminary information for the intent of further study.
Reconnaissance which was done on a planet's surface was known as surface reconnaissance. (TNG: "First Contact")
While temporarily stranded on Taurus II in 2267, Spock ordered Misters Latimer and Gaetano to arm themselves and scout out the area while maintaining visual contact with the Galileo. (TOS: "The Galileo Seven")
According to radio chatter, prior to the second Battle of Chin'toka, Federation fighter squadrons 7 and 10 "were to break into sections and stand by to begin reconnaissance." (DS9: "The Changing Face of Evil")