raking
UK[ˈreɪkɪŋ]US[ˈreɪkɪŋ]
v
the action of using a rake to gather, smooth, or clear an area.
v
the action of searching or examining something very thoroughly.
v
the action of gathering or collecting something, especially money, in large amounts.
Etymology
the modern verb 'rake' finds its source in old norse 'raka', which carried the sense of scraping or clearing a surface. this action is directly linked to the tool, the rake, named for its function. the '-ing' suffix is a common germanic present participle ending, used to form verbal nouns or adjectives. thus, 'raking' literally denotes the ongoing action of performing the scrape-and-gather motion characteristic of the tool, which semantically extended to mean thorough searching or amassing collections.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from the verb 'rake' with the addition of the present participle suffix '-ing'. the verb 'rake' originates from old english 'racian', meaning 'to go, proceed, move', and later from old norse 'raka', meaning 'to scrape, rake'.
Examples
he spent the afternoon raking leaves in the garden.
the detective is raking through the evidence for a new clue.
the company has been raking in profits since the new product launch.