noun

1. a device consisting of a net attached to a frame, dragged along the bottom of a river, bay, etc. to gather shellfish, marine plant specimens, etc.
2. an apparatus for scooping or sucking up mud, sand, rocks, etc., as in deepening or clearing channels, harbors, etc.
3. a barge or other boat equipped with a dredge

Etymology: prob. < MDu dregge, akin to drag

transitive verb dredged, dredging dredg′·ing

1. to search for or gather (up) with or as with a dredge
2. to enlarge or clean out (a river channel, harbor, etc.) with a dredge

intransitive verb

1. to use a dredge
2. to search as with a dredge

transitive verb dredged, dredging dredg′·ing

1. to coat (food) with flour or the like, as by sprinkling
2. to sprinkle (flour, etc.)

Etymology: < ME dragge, sweetmeat < OFr dragie < ML dragium, earlier dragetum < L tragemata < Gr tragēmata, pl. of tragēma, dried fruit, dessert < trōgein, to gnaw < IE *trog- < base *ter-, to rub: see throw