groping
v. C1 Advanced US //ˈɡɹoʊpɪŋ// UK //ɡɹˈəʊpɪŋ// grop·ing
v. to feel about blindly with your hands when you cannot see well. It also means to touch someone in a sexual way that is not wanted.
v. to feel about with the hands, especially in the dark or when searching for something blindly; also refers to touching someone sexually without their consent. Present participle of 'grope'.
He was groping for the light switch in the dark room.
After the power went out, she spent several minutes groping along the wall to find the hallway door.
The witness provided a detailed account of the defendant groping her in the crowded elevator, leading to immediate legal action and a workplace investigation.
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for' when searching for an object.