Root (?), v. i. [AS. wrōtan; akin to wrōt a snout, trunk, D. wroeten to root, G. rüssel snout, trunk, proboscis, Icel. rōta to root, and perhaps to L. rodere to gnaw (E. rodent) or to E. root, n.] 1. To turn up the earth with the snout, as swine.
2. Hence, to seek for favor or advancement by low arts or groveling servility; to fawn servilely.