ferret

(noun) musteline mammal of prairie regions of United States; nearly extinct. Synonyms: black-footed ferret, Mustela nigripes.

(noun) domesticated albino variety of the European polecat bred for hunting rats and rabbits.

(verb) hound or harry relentlessly.

(verb) hunt with ferrets.

(verb) search and discover through persistent investigation. Synonyms: ferret out. Examples: "She ferreted out the truth."