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.
© Webster 1913