Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Exploratory \Ex*plor"a*to*ry\, a. [L. exploratorius.]
   Serving or intended to explore; searching; examining;
   explorative. --Sir H. Wotton.

Source : WordNet®

exploratory
     adj : serving in or intended for exploration or discovery; "an
           exploratory operation"; "exploratory reconnaisance";
           "digging an exploratory well in the Gulf of Mexico";
           "exploratory talks between diplomats" [syn: {explorative}]
           [ant: {nonexploratory}]