The Collaborative International Dictionary
Fossick \Fos"sick\, v. i. [Dial. E. fossick, fossuck, a troublesome person, fussick to potter over one's work, fussock to bustle about; of uncertain origin. Cf. Fuss.]
(Mining) To search for gold by picking at stone or earth or among roots in isolated spots, picking over abandoned workings, etc.; hence, to steal gold or auriferous matter from another's claim. [Australia]
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To search about; to rummage.
A man who has fossicked in nature's byways.
--D. Macdonald.
Wiktionary
vb. 1 (context UK English) To ferret out; to elicit information. 2 (context UK Australia English) To search for gold, gems, etc., on the surface or in abandonded workings. 3 (context UK Australian English) To search for something; to rummage.
Usage examples of "fossick".
We fossicked about for a while to see if the man who lived so long by himself in this lonely place had left anything behind him to help us make out what sort he was.
Finn went fossicking around the storage closets, emerging with a red cylinder of camping gas.
They were more than happy to take a break from fossicking about on their plates to find a bit of bacon that had actually been cooked.
Nonetheless I contend that what I saw fossicking around in my trousers tonight on Primrose Hill was like no squirrel I have ever seen.
They were more than happy to take a break from fossicking about on their plates to find a bit of bacon that had actually been cooked.
Retired Police Commissioners don't go fossicking in France, and through the courtesy of his successor Appleby received reports in due season.