delve

DELVE, v.t. Delv. [L. A mole, perhaps the delver.]

1. To dig; to open the ground with a spade.

Delve of convenient depth your thrashing floor.

2. To fathom; to sound; to penetrate.

I cannot delve him to the root.

DELVE, n. Delv. A place dug: a pit; a pitfall; a ditch; a den; a cave.

Delve of coals, a quantity of fossil coals dug.