[fer-it] 
| 1. | a domesticated, usually red-eyed, and albinic variety of the polecat, used in Europe for driving rabbits and rats from their burrows. |
| 2. | black-footed ferret. |
| 3. | to drive out by using or as if using a ferret (often fol. by out): to ferret rabbits from their burrows; to ferret out enemies. |
| 4. | to hunt with ferrets. |
| 5. | to hunt over with ferrets: to ferret a field. |
| 6. | to search out, discover, or bring to light (often fol. by out): to ferret out the facts. |
| 7. | to harry, worry, or torment: His problems ferreted him day and night. |
| 8. | to search about. |
ferret out
Uncover and bring to light by searching, as in Sandy was a superb reporter, tireless in ferreting out whatever facts were needed for her story. This expression alludes to hunting with ferrets, weasel-like animals formerly used to drive rabbits out of their burrows. [c. 1600]