Stalking-horse
Pronunciation : Stalk"ing-horse
Part of Speech : n.
Definition : 1. A horse, or a figure resembling a horse, behind which a hunter conceals himself from the game he is aiming to kill.
2. Fig.: Something used to cover up a secret project; a mask; a pretense. Hypocrisy is the devil's stalking-horse under an affectation of simplicity and religion. L'Estrange. How much more abominable is it to make of him [Christ] and religion a stalking-horse, to get and enjoy the world! Bunyan.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913