verb
scour
SKOW-er/ˈskaʊər/
To search an area or source thoroughly.
She scours the drawers, checking every corner with a flashlight.
Etymology
Middle English scouren expressed rapid movement in search of something—the connection to searching a place thoroughly. Its origin is uncertain, though it probably comes from a Norse verb meaning “rush in.”
In context
the coast guard was brought in soon after and a team of divers was dispatched to scour the bay for signs of a body
More examples
- Volunteers scour the woods for the missing dog.
- I scoured old newspapers for details about the fire.
- He's scouring thrift stores for an affordable winter coat.
Forms
scour · scours · scoured · scouring