ransack
definition
to search thoroughly and often violently for something
example
The thieves ransacked the house, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake.
synonyms
lootplunderpillage
word origin — from Middle English 'ransacken', from the Old Norse 'rannsaka', meaning 'to search a house (for something)', composed of 'rann' (house) + 'saka' (to search).