rifle 2 BrE AmE ( also rifle through ) verb [transitive]
[ Date: 1300-1400 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: rifler ; ⇨ ↑ rifle 1 ]
to search a place or container quickly because you are looking for something, especially something to steal:
Sally rifled through her wardrobe looking for a dress.
The killer had rifled his wallet and stolen £200.