fossick

fossick [fos-ik]Australian ExamplesWord Origin verb (used without object)

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

verb (used with object)

3. to hunt; seek; ferret out.

Origin of fossick 1850–55; compare dial. fossick troublesome person, fussick to bustle about, apparently fuss + -ick, variant of -ock Related formsfos·sick·er, noun Examples from the Web for fossick Historical Examples of fossick

What Mr. Wake, Mr. Fossick, Mr. Fyle, who had all been out the day before?

Mr. Sponge’s Sporting Tour

R. S. Surtees

Major Davis plays the violin a little, and we are going to fossick others out.

The Secrets of a Kuttite

Edward O. Mousley

British Dictionary definitions for fossick fossick verb Australian and NZ

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

Derived Formsfossicker, nounWord Origin for fossick C19: Australian, probably from English dialect fussock to bustle about, from fuss