I.perf. and sup., āre, 1, v. a. etym. dub.; perh. Sanscr. vahis (bahis), out, and stigh-, to climb; cf. Gr. στίχος, a row, etc.; Angl. -Sax. stīgan; Germ. steigen, to climb.
I. Prop., to follow in the track of; to track, trace out (cf.: rimor, indago, scrutor): germana soror, errare videbar, Tardaque vestigare et quaerere te, Enn. ap. Cic. Div. 1, 20, 40 (Ann. v. 43 Vahl.): “feras vestigat (sc. canis),” Sen. Thyest. 496.—With abl.: “fertur (sc. tigris) praeceps, odore vestigans (sc. raptorem),” Plin. 8, 18, 25, § 66. —
II. Transf.
A. To find out by tracing, to trace out, discover.
1. With abl.: “perfugas et fugitivos, quos inquirendo vestigare potuerint, reddidisse,” Liv. 31, 19, 2: “(cervi) vestigant cavernas (serpentium),” Plin. 8, 32, 50, § 118: “omnis enim jacens piscis magis naribus escam, quam oculis, vestigat,” Col. 8, 17, 14.—
2. Absol.: “dimissis deinde per agros, qui vestigarent,” Liv. 32, 26, 13 dub.; cf. Weissenb. ad loc.—
B. To search after; to seek out: “ceterum Alexander, quam regionem Dareus petisset, omni curā vestigans, tamen explorare non poterat,” Curt. 4, 6, 5: “adeo sicca lacuna, ut vestigantium sitim falleret,” id. 4, 16, 14: “equum vestigari jubet,” id. 6, 5, 19: “ergo alte vestiga (sc. ramum) oculis, riteque repertum Carpe manu,” Verg. A. 6, 145.—
III. Trop.
A. To inquire into, investigate (class.).
1. In simple constr.: “causas rerum,” Cic. de Or. 2, 39, 166.—
3. With cum: “quod cum desidiosā delectatione vestiges,” Cic. de Or. 3, 23, 88.—
B. To discover, find out: “grave imperium regum nihil inexploratum, quod vestigari volunt, efficit,” Liv. 39, 51, 6.
