n. 1. The act or the place of digging or excavating. Syn. -- excavation, dig. [ 1913 Webster ]
2.pl. Places where ore is dug; especially, certain localities in California, Australia, and elsewhere, at which gold is obtained. [ Recent ] [ 1913 Webster ]
3.pl. Region; locality. [ Low ] [ 1913 Webster ]
4. a thorough search for something (often causing disorder or confusion). Syn. -- ransacking, rummage. [ WordNet 1.5 ]