1
general::
Also, nose around. Look for something, especially something private or hidden. For example, She was always nosing about the kitchen, looking in all the cupboards, or The detective nosed around the apartment. [Second half of 1800s]
American Heritage Idioms
2
general::
Phrase(s): nose about (for someone or something) [and] nose around (for someone or something)
to search here and there to find someone or something. • We spent an hour nosing about for a newspaper. • I will nose around for someone to help you. • We nosed about for a while, but found no one.
McGrawhill's American Idioms And Phrasal Verbs