1. To dig through the dirt, rocks, debris, etc. (of something or some place), as in the search of something. Archeologists have been scratching around the burial site for clues about the ancient civilization. I wonder why the dog scratching around in the back yard like that.

2. To search thoroughly (in or around something or some place) in order to find something. Ever since the economy tanked, hundreds of people have been scratching around for any type of work that would let them earn a living. I was scratching around the office for nearly an hour looking for the key to the warehouse.