scrounge

Meanings

Verb

• To hunt about, especially for something of nominal value; to scavenge or glean.
• To obtain something of moderate or inconsequential value from another.

Noun

• Someone who scrounges; a scrounger.

Related

Similar words

• blag, cadge , leech, sponge, wheedle

Origin

• 1915, alteration of dialectal scrunge ("to search stealthily, rummage, pilfer") (1909), of uncertain origin, perhaps from dialectal scringe ("to pry about"); or perhaps related to scrouge, scrooge ("push, jostle") (1755, also Cockney slang for "a crowd"), probably suggestive of screw, squeeze. Popularized by the military in World War I.