I. ˈrə-mij verb
( rum·maged ; rum·mag·ing )
Etymology: rummage (II)
Date: 1582
intransitive verb
1. : to make a thorough search or investigation
2. : to engage in an undirected or haphazard search
transitive verb
1. : to make a thorough search through : ransack
rummaged the attic
2. : to examine minutely and completely
3. : to discover by searching
• rum·mag·er noun
II. noun
Etymology: obsolete English romage act of stowing cargo, modification of Middle French arrimage, from arrimer to stow, from a- (from Latin ad- ) + -rimer, from Middle English rimen to open up, make room for, from Old English rȳman — more at ream
Date: 1598
1.
a. : a confused miscellaneous collection
b. : items for sale at a rummage sale
2. : a thorough search especially among a confusion of objects