Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Ferreting"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Ferret \Fer"ret\, n. [Ital. foretto, dim. of fiore flower; or F.
fleuret. Cf. {Floret}.]
A kind of narrow tape, usually made of woolen; sometimes of
cotton or silk; -- called also {ferreting}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Ferret \Fer"ret\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Ferreted}; p. pr. & vb.
n. {Ferreting}.] [Cf. F. fureter. See {Ferret}, n.]
To drive or hunt out of a lurking place, as a ferret does the
cony; to search out by patient and sagacious efforts; --
often used with out; as, to ferret out a secret.
Master Fer! I'll fer him, and firk him, and ferret him.
--Shak.
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