noun

Etymology: < It fioretti, floss silk, orig. pl. of fioretto, dim. of fiore, a flower < L flos, flower

noun

1. a small, domesticated European polecat with pink eyes and yellowish fur, easily tamed for hunting rabbits, rats, etc.
2. a rare, black-footed weasel (Mustela nigripes) of the W U.S.

Etymology: ME feret < OFr furet < LL furetus, dim. of furo, a ferret < L fur, thief: see furtive

transitive verb

1. to force out of hiding with or as if with a ferret
2. to search for persistently and discover (facts, the truth, etc.); search: with out
3. Archaic to keep after; harass

intransitive verb

1. to hunt with ferrets
2. to search around