■ verb search unsystematically and untidily for something.
↘make a thorough search of (a vessel).
■ noun an act of rummaging.
Derivatives
~r noun
Word History
Rummage came into English in the late 15th century, from the Old French word arrumage , which was based on arrumer 'stow in a hold'. In early use it meant 'arrange items in the hold of a ship', which gave rise to the sense 'make a search of a vessel' (which is still used in the context of customs officers going about their duties) and then to the main modern meaning. Rummage is connected to room , through the shared Middle Dutch root ruim 'room'.