to search for (something that could be of use), esp among rubbish or discarded items
said of certain animals, birds, and fish: to search for and feed on (carrion or refuse)
to remove (burned gases) from the cylinder of an internal-combustion engine after a working stroke
to remove (an undesirable constituent) from a substance or region by chemical or physical means
to clean and purify (molten metal) by causing impurities to form compounds that can be easily removed
to work or act as a scavenger
to obtain food by scavenging
[back-formation from scavenger]