Verb

Infinitive to scour

Third person singular scours

Simple past scoured

Past participle scoured

Present participle scouring

to scour (third-person singular simple present scours, present participle scouring, simple past and past participle scoured)

1. To clean, polish, or wash something by scrubbing it vigorously.

   He scoured the burner pans, to remove the burnt spills.

2. To search an area thoroughly.

   They scoured the scene of the crime for clues.

3. (intransitive, veterinary medicine) Of livestock, to suffer from diarrhea.

   If a lamb is scouring, do not delay treatment.

4. To move swiftly.

Derived terms

• scourer noun
• scours noun plural