trawling

noun

1. (countable, uncountable)A commercial fishing technique in which a net is dragged by a moving boat. Not to be confused with trolling, which drags (one or more) lines.
2. (countable, uncountable)A laborious search.

   “No longer would he have to fear the deportation of Gerald Haxton, who as an American was constantly running that risk in his trawlings through the bars of London.”

verb

1. (form-of, gerund, participle, present)present participle and gerund of trawl