\Fos"sick\, 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]
2. To search about; to rummage.
         A man who has fossicked in nature's byways. --D.
                                               Macdonald.