farfouiller

to rummage

verb far-foo-YEH Rare

Origin: perhaps from fouiller (to search) with expressive reduplication of the first syllable

Also means

to ferret about

Usage Note

Farfouiller is a familiar, slightly humorous verb meaning to rummage around noisily and somewhat randomly in a drawer, bag, or pile. It is more expressive than fouiller and implies disorganised searching. The word is common in spoken French and children's stories; register is informal. A related word is farfouilleur (a rummager or nosy person, colloquial).

Examples

"Elle farfouille dans son sac pour trouver ses clés."

Natural Translation

She rummages through her bag to find her keys.

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