12. (v.t.)wildcat to search (an area of unknown or doubtful productivity) for oil, ore, or the like.
Etymology: (1375–1425)
Definition of 'wildcat'
Princeton's WordNet
1. (noun)wildcat well, wildcat an exploratory oil well drilled in land not known to be an oil field
2. (noun)beast, wolf, savage, brute, wildcat a cruelly rapacious person
3. (adj)wildcat any small or medium-sized cat resembling the domestic cat and living in the wild
4. (adj)wildcat outside the bounds of legitimate or ethical business practices "wildcat currency issued by irresponsible banks"; "wildcat stock speculation"; "a wildcat airline"; "wildcat life insurance schemes"
5. (adj)unauthorized, unauthorised, wildcat without official authorization "an unauthorized strike"; "wildcat work stoppage"
6. (adj)wildcat (of a mine or oil well) drilled speculatively in an area not known to be productive "drilling there would be strictly a wildcat operation"; "a wildcat mine"; "wildcat drilling"; "wildcat wells"
Definitions of wildcat 
