1. the practice of drilling for oil or gas in areas not known to be productive
Usage: oil industry
2. risky business ventures or speculation in uncertain markets
Usage: business; informal

Examples

• The company made its fortune through wildcatting in remote desert regions.
• Wildcatting requires significant capital investment with no guarantee of success.
• Many early oil fortunes were built on successful wildcatting operations.
• The risks of wildcatting often outweigh the potential rewards.
• His wildcatting ventures in the stock market proved costly.
• Wildcatting in unexplored territories led to several major oil discoveries.