DELVE

I. verb (~d; delving) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English delfan; akin to Old High German telban to dig Date: before 12th century transitive verb excavate , intransitive verb to dig or labor with or as if with a spade, 2. to make a careful or detailed search for information , to examine a subject in detail , ~r noun II. noun Date: 14th century cave , hollow