/
ˈfɛrɪt/
n.
- a domesticated albino or brown polecat, used for catching rabbits.
[Mustela furo.]
- an assiduous search.
v.
(ferrets, ferreting, ferreted)
- hunt with ferrets.
- search for something in a place or container.
▸
(ferret something out)
investigate something assiduously.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. fuiret, alt. of fuiron, based on late L. furo ‘thief, ferret’, from L. fur ‘thief’.