The word 虎视眈眈 is formed by combining the noun 虎 (tiger) with the verb 视 (to look), followed by the reduplicated adverb 眈眈 (glaring fiercely), where 虎 metaphorically describes the manner of looking and 眈眈 intensifies the action, resulting in a literal meaning of "tiger look glaringly" to convey a menacing, focused gaze.