the world > action or operation > endeavour > searching or seeking > [noun] > types of search or searching > grubbing (4)
The action of grubbing in the earth for food; an instance of this. Also in extended use: poking about, rummaging (cf. root, v.2 3b).
figurative. Close search or investigation; plodding work, laborious study.
The action of grout, v.2 (in quot. 1961 figurative).