Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Delve \Delve\, n. [See {Delve}, v. t., and cf. {Delf} a mine.]
   A place dug; a pit; a ditch; a den; a cave.

         Which to that shady delve him brought at last.
   --Spenser.

         The very tigers from their delves Look out. --Moore.

Delve \Delve\v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Delved}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Delving}.] [AS. delfan to dig; akin to OS. bidelban to bury,
   D. delven to dig, MHG. telben, and possibly to E. dale. Cf.
   {Delf} a mine.]
   1. To dig; to open (the ground) as with a spade.

            Delve of convenient depth your thrashing floor.
                                                  --Dryden.

   2. To dig into; to penetrate; to trace out; to fathom.

            I can not delve him to the root.      --Shak.

Delve \Delve\, v. i.
   To dig or labor with a spade, or as with a spade; to labor as
   a drudge.

         Delve may I not: I shame to beg.         --Wyclif (Luke
                                                  xvi. 3).

Source : WordNet®

delve
     v : turn up, loosen, or remove earth; "Dig we must"; "turn over
         the soil for aeration" [syn: {dig}, {cut into}, {turn
         over}]