RANSACKING
ransacking, rummage
(noun) a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or confusion); “he gave the attic a good rummage but couldn’t find his skis”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Verb
ransacking
present participle of ransack
Noun
ransacking (plural ransackings)
The act by which something is ransacked.
Source: Wiktionary
RANSACK
Ran"sack, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Ransacked; p. pr. & vb. n. Ransacking.]
Etym: [OE. ransaken, Icel, rannsaka to explore, examine; rann a house
(akin to Goth. razn house, AS. ræsn plank, beam) + the root of sækja
to seek, akin to E. seek. See Seek, and cf. Rest repose.]
1. To search thoroughly; to search every place or part of; as, to
ransack a house.
To ransack every corner of their . . . hearts. South.
2. To plunder; to pillage completely.
Their vow is made To ransack Troy. Shak.
3. To violate; to ravish; to defiour. [Obs.]
Rich spoil of ransacked chastity. Spenser.
Ran"sack, v. i.
Definition: To make a thorough search.
To ransack in the tas [heap] of bodies dead. Chaucer.
Ran"sack, n.
Definition: The act of ransacking, or state of being ransacked; pillage.
[R.]
Even your father's house Shall not be free fromransack. J. Webster.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition