root about

Verb

root about (third-person singular simple present roots about, present participle rooting about, simple past and past participle rooted about)

1. (literal) To forage by poking the snout here and there.

   Synonyms:

   root around

2. To search for something in a similar manner.
   • Besides, the father would not give him leave to go, for he said it was no use his trying, who had so little sense; all he could do was to sit in a corner on the hearth, like a cat, rooting about in the ashes and cutting chips.1886, Peter Christen Asbjø￵rnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 271
3. (figuratively) To rummage; to look for something in a somewhat aimless fashion.
   • I'm rooting about for ideas for a novel

   Synonyms:

   root around, rummage, rootle