ransack

To search (a place, through things, etc.) thoroughly, especially when vigorous and leaving behind a state of disarray.

What a ſorowe hath it been to ſome of vs when the deuils hath in deſpightfull mockage, caſt in our teeth our olde loue borne to our money, and then ſhewed vs our executours as buſily ryfling ⁊ ranſaking our houſes as though they wer men of warre that had taken a towne by force.

He hath ranſaked all the chyſtes I haue for his beades: […]

To search (someone or a place) thoroughly in order to steal something, especially when vigorous and leaving behind a state of disarray; hence, to rob (someone or a place); to plunder.

to ransack a house for valuables

If they thought howe ſoone in what painefull plight they ſhall lye a dying, while theyr executours afore their face ranſake vp theyr ſackes, they woulde I wene ſhortly empty theyr ſackes themſelues.

To search for and steal (something) as plunder.

VVith greedy force he gan the fort aſſayle, / VVhereof he vveend poſſeſſe ſoone to bee, / And vvin rich ſpoile of ranſackt chaſtitee.

To examine (someone or something) carefully; to investigate; also, to question (someone) thoroughly; to interrogate.

[…] I purpoſe not in any open engliſh booke to ranſake and rebuke eyther the tone [the one] lawe, or the tother: I ſhall let him with that matter alone.

And like an angry Judge reſolved to condemn, thou ranſackeſt all my life, and paſſeſt an heavie ſentence upon me for ſinnes long ſince committed,[…].

To look for or seek out (someone).

I'le call ye to Accompt, and if ye bauke me, then / I ranſake ye out, and make ye underſtand / The ſharp-nail'd language of Quiſquilla's hand.

Synonym of ransacking (“an act of ransacking (“searching thoroughly (in order to steal); etc.”) someone or something; an eager search”).

And euermore their vvicked Capitayn / Prouoked them the breaches to aſſay, / Somtimes vvith threats, ſomtimes vvith hope of gayn, / VVhich by the ranſack of that peece they ſhould attayn.

VVhat ſecret corner? VVhat unvvonted vvay / Has ſcap'd the ranſack of my rambling thoughts?