- rummage
- 1526, "act of arranging cargo in a ship," aphetic of M.Fr. arrumage "arrangement of cargo," from arrumer "to stow goods in the hold of a ship," from a- "to" + rumer, probably from Gmc. (cf. O.N. rum "compartment in a ship," O.H.G. rum "space," O.E. rum, see room). Meaning "to search (the hold of a ship) thoroughly" first recorded 1628. Rummage sale (1858) originally was a sale at docks of unclaimed goods.