to gather slowly and laboriously, bit by bit.

to gather (grain or the like) after the reapers or regular gatherers.

to learn, discover, or find out, usually little by little or slowly.

to collect or gather anything little by little or slowly.

to gather what is left by reapers.

verb

accumulate , amass , ascertain , conclude , cull , deduce , extract , garner , gather , harvest , learn , pick , reap , select , sift , winnow , pick up