frisk
n.n. a quick search of a person's body to check for hidden weapons or illegal items. It is usually done by a police officer during an arrest.
n. a rapid, systematic search of a person's body to locate concealed weapons or contraband. Often performed during an arrest or as a precautionary measure.
The officer performed a quick frisk before searching the car.
After the suspect was arrested for public disorder, the police conducted a frisk to ensure he was not carrying any dangerous items.
The legal precedent established that a frisk is only permissible if the officer has a reasonable belief that the individual poses an immediate threat to their safety or the safety of others.
From Middle English frisk (“lively, frisky”), from Middle French frisque (“lively, jolly, blithe, fine, spruce, gay”), of Germanic origin, perhaps from Middle Dutch frisc (“fresh”) or Old High German frisc (“fresh”), ultimately from Proto-Germanic *friskaz (“fresh”). Cognate with Icelandic frískur (“frisky, fresh”). Doublet of fresco and fresh. More at fresh. Alternative etymology derives frisk from an alteration (due to Old French fresche (“fresh”)) of Old French fricque, frique (“smart, strong, playful, bright”), from Gothic 𐍆𐍂𐌹𐌺𐍃 (friks, “greedy, hungry”), from Proto-Germanic frekaz, frakaz (“greedy, active”), from Proto-Indo-European *preg- (“greedy, fierce”). Cognate with Middle Dutch vrec (“greedy, avaricious”), German frech (“insolent”), Old English frec (“greedy, eager, bold, daring, dangerous”). More at freak.