transitive verb excavated -·vat′ed, excavating -·vat′·ing

1. to make a hole or cavity in, as by digging; hollow out
2. to form by hollowing out; dig to excavate a tunnel
3. to uncover or expose by digging; unearth to excavate ancient ruins
4. to dig out (earth, soil, etc.)

Etymology: < L excavatus, pp. of excavare < ex-, out + cavare, to make hollow < cavus, hollow: see cave

intransitive verb