/ ˈrʌmɪdʒ; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to move things around carelessly while searching for sth :
She was rummaging around in her bag for her keys.
I rummaged through the contents of the box until I found the book I wanted.
■ noun
[ sing. ] the act of looking for sth among a group of other objects in a way that makes them untidy :
Have a rummage around in the drawer and see if you can find a pen.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late 15th cent.: from Old French arrumage , from arrumer stow (in a hold), from Middle Dutch ruim room. In early use the word referred to the arranging of items such as casks in the hold of a ship, giving rise (early 17th cent.) to the verb sense make a search of (a vessel) .