'Scavenge' definitions:

Definition of 'scavenge'

verb

Clean refuse from; "Scavenge a street"

verb

Collect discarded or refused material; "She scavenged the garbage cans for food" [syn: salvage, scavenge]

verb

Feed on carrion or refuse; "hyenas scavenge"

verb

Remove unwanted substances from [syn: scavenge, clean]

From: GCIDE

Scavenge \Scav"enge\, v. i. (Internal-combustion Engines) To remove the burned gases from the cylinder after a working stroke; as, this engine does not scavenge well. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

From: GCIDE

Scavenge \Scav"enge\, v. t. To cleanse, as streets, from filth. --C. Kingsley. [1913 Webster]
2. to salvage (usable items or material) from discarded or waste material. [PJC]
3. To remove (burned gases) from the cylinder after a working stroke. [Webster 1913 Suppl.]