1. searched or hunted persistently; dug or burrowed around to find something hidden
Usage: past tense and past participle of ferret; often used with 'out' or 'around'
2. drove out or forced out from a hiding place or burrow
Usage: past tense and past participle of ferret; literal sense referring to using ferrets to hunt

Examples

• She ferreted through the old boxes in the attic looking for family photos.
• The detective ferreted out the truth behind the mysterious disappearance.
• He ferreted around in his desk drawer for a pen.
• The journalist ferreted out corruption in the city government.
• Dogs ferreted the rabbits from their burrows.
• She ferreted out every detail of the scandal.