fossick

[ fos-ik ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

verb (used without object)

Mining. to undermine another's digging; search for waste gold in relinquished workings, washing places, etc.
to search for any object by which to make gain:
to fossick for clients.

verb (used with object)

to hunt; seek; ferret out.

fossick

/ ˈfɒsɪk /

verb

intr to search for gold or precious stones in abandoned workings, rivers, etc
to rummage or search for (something)

Discover More

Derived Forms

ˈfossicker, noun

Discover More

Other Words From

fossick·er noun

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of fossick¹

First recorded in 1850–55; origin uncertain; compare British dialect fossick “troublesome person,” fussick, fursick “to bustle about, fidget”; apparently fuss + -ick, variant of -ock