root about
verb1
Of a pig To forage by poking the snout here and there.
2
To search for something in a similar manner.
- Besides, the father would not give him leave to go, for he said it was no use his trying, who had so little sense; all he could do was to sit in a corner on the hearth, like a cat, rooting about in the ashes and cutting chips.1886, Peter Christen Asbjørnsen, translated by H.L. Brækstad, Folk and Fairy Tales, page 271:
3
Figuratively To rummage; to look for something in a somewhat aimless fashion.
- I'm rooting about for ideas for a novel