ransack

[ran-sak] /ˈræn sæk/
verb (used with object)
1.
to search thoroughly or vigorously through (a house, receptacle, etc.):
They ransacked the house for the missing letter.
2.
to search through for plunder; pillage:
The enemy ransacked the entire town.
Origin
1200-50; Middle English ransaken < Old Norse rannsaka to search, examine (for evidence of crime), equivalent to rann house + saka search (variant of soekja to seek)
Related forms
ransacker, noun
unransacked, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for ransack

ransack

/ˈrænsæk/
verb (transitive)
1.
to search through every part of (a house, box, etc); examine thoroughly
2.
to plunder; pillage
Derived Forms
ransacker, noun
Word Origin
C13: from Old Norse rann house + saka to search, seek
Word Origin and History for ransack
v.

mid-13c., from a Scandinavian source akin to Old Norse rannsaka "to pillage," literally "search the house" (especially legally, for stolen goods), from rann "house," from Proto-Germanic *rasnan (c.f. Gothic razn, Old English ærn "house;" see barn) + saka "to search," related to Old Norse soekja "seek" (see seek). Sense influenced by sack (v.). Related: Ransacked; ransacking.