grope
v. C2 Proficiency US //ˈɡɹoʊp// UK //ɡɹˈəʊp// grope
v. to feel around with your hands when you cannot see well. It can also mean to touch someone in a sexual way that is not wanted.
v. to search blindly or uncertainly with the hands; also refers to touching someone sexually without their consent. Often implies a lack of precision or a violation of personal boundaries.
He had to grope for the light switch in the dark.
After the power went out, she had to grope her way along the hallway to find the emergency flashlight.
The detective had to grope for a motive among the conflicting testimonies, much like a man searching for a lost key in a pitch-black room.
Usage
When meaning to search, it often takes the preposition 'for' or 'around'.