What is "to feel after"

Feel \Feel\, v. i.

1. To have perception by the touch, or by contact of anything with the nerves of sensation, especially those upon the surface of the body.

2. To have the sensibilities moved or affected.

   [She] feels with the dignity of a Roman matron.
   --Burke.

   And mine as man, who feel for all mankind.
   --Pope.

3. To be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, persuasion, physical condition, etc.; to perceive one's self to be; -- followed by an adjective describing the state, etc.; as, to feel assured, grieved, persuaded.

   I then did feel full sick.
   --Shak.

4. To know with feeling; to be conscious; hence, to know certainly or without misgiving.

   Garlands . . . which I feel I am not worthy yet to wear.
   --Shak.

5. To appear to the touch; to give a perception; to produce an impression by the nerves of sensation; -- followed by an adjective describing the kind of sensation.

   Blind men say black feels rough, and white feels smooth.
   --Dryden.

   To feel after, to search for; to seek to find; to seek as a person groping in the dark. ``If haply they might feel after him, and find him.''
   --Acts xvii. 27.

   To feel of, to examine by touching.