From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.44 [gcide]:
Ransack \Ran"sack\ (r[a^]n"s[a^]k), verb (used with an object) [imp. & p. p. {Ransacked} (-s[a^]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. {Ransacking}.] [OE. ransaken, Icel. rannsaka to explore, examine; rann a house (akin to Goth. razn house, AS. r[ae]sn plank, beam) + the root of s[ae]kja to seek, akin to E. seek. See {Seek}, and cf. {Rest} repose.]
1. To search thoroughly; to search every place or part of; as, to ransack a house.
To ransack every corner of their . . . hearts. --South.
2. To plunder; to pillage completely.
Their vow is made To ransack Troy. --Shak.
3. To violate; to ravish; to defiour. [Obs.]
Rich spoil of ransacked chastity. --Spenser.
From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:
noun
1: a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or confusion); "he gave the attic a good rummage but couldn't find his skis" [syn: {rummage}]
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