To search for and collect (anything usable) from discarded waste. The raccoons scavenged through the trash bins for food.
To search for and collect items from a place, often in a hurried or desperate manner. After the storm, the villagers scavenged the beach for any useful debris.
To clean or remove unwanted substances from an area or object. The workers scavenged the site to ensure it was free of hazardous materials.