Rum·mage, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Rummaged p. pr. & vb. n. Rummaging ]
 1. Naut. To make room in, as a ship, for the cargo; to move about, as packages, ballast, so as to permit close stowage; to stow closely; to pack; -- formerly written roomage, and romage. [Obs.]
    They might bring away a great deal more than they do, if they would take pain in the romaging.   --Hakluyt.
 2. To search or examine thoroughly by looking into every corner, and turning over or removing goods or other things; to examine, as a book, carefully, turning over leaf after leaf.
    He . . . searcheth his pockets, and taketh his keys, and so rummageth all his closets and trunks.   --Howell.
    What schoolboy of us has not rummaged his Greek dictionary in vain for a satisfactory account!   --M. Arnold.