Fossick
Fossick , intransitive verb
[Dial. English fossick, fossuck, a troublesome person, fussick to potter over one's work, fussock to bustle about; of uncertain origin. Compare 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.