1. to search for gold or precious stones in abandoned workings or waste heaps
Usage: chiefly Australian and New Zealand
2. to search around or rummage for something
Usage: chiefly Australian and New Zealand; informal

Examples

• The old miners would fossick through the abandoned claims looking for overlooked gold.
• She spent the afternoon fossicking in the creek bed with her metal detector.
• He fossicked around in the garage looking for his tools.
• The children fossicked through the toy box for their favorite game.
• Tourists often fossick for sapphires in the designated mining areas.
• She fossicked in her purse for her car keys.