v. i. [ Dial. E. fossick, fossuck, a troublesome person, fussick to potter over one's work, fussock to bustle about; of uncertain origin. Cf. Fuss. ] 1. (Mining) To search for gold by picking at stone or earth or among roots in isolated spots, picking over abandoned workings, etc.; hence, to steal gold or auriferous matter from another's claim. [ Australia ] [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. To search about; to rummage.

A man who has fossicked in nature's byways. D. Macdonald. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]