Rummaging

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Rummage \Rum"mage\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Rummaged}; p. pr. & vb.
     n. {Rummaging}.]
     1. (Naut.) To make room in, as a ship, for the cargo; to move
        about, as packages, ballast, so as to permit close
        stowage; to stow closely; to pack; -- formerly written
        {roomage}, and {romage}. [Obs.]


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              They might bring away a great deal more than they
              do, if they would take pain in the romaging.
                                                    --Hakluyt.
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     2. To search or examine thoroughly by looking into every
        corner, and turning over or removing goods or other
        things; to examine, as a book, carefully, turning over
        leaf after leaf.
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              He . . . searcheth his pockets, and taketh his keys,
              and so rummageth all his closets and trunks.
                                                    --Howell.
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              What schoolboy of us has not rummaged his Greek
              dictionary in vain for a satisfactory account! --M.
                                                    Arnold.
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