scavenge
UK[ˈskæv.ɪndʒ]US[ˈskæv.ɪndʒ]
v
to search for and collect discarded items or food.
v
(of an animal) to feed on carrion, refuse, or other decaying organic matter.
v
(in engineering) to remove unwanted substances or waste material from a system.
Etymology
the verb 'scavenge' is a back-formation from the noun 'scavenger', which appeared in english in the early 16th century. 'scavenger' originally referred to an officer responsible for cleaning streets and collecting refuse, a meaning derived from the middle english 'scawageour', itself from the anglo-french 'scawager', meaning a toll-collector or inspector. this anglo-french term traces back to the flemish 'scauwen', meaning "to look at, inspect." the semantic journey thus moved from the act of inspection (and collecting tolls) to the inspection and collection of refuse, and finally to the modern sense of searching for and utilizing discarded items or decaying matter, applicable to both humans and animals.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form derived from a longer source word. it cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes based on its current english spelling.
Examples
vultures scavenge the carcass left by predators.
the children would scavenge the beach for interesting shells and driftwood.
the new engine design helps to scavenge exhaust gases more efficiently.