noun
groping with one's feet; feeling one's way
Describes the action of cautiously moving forward by feeling the ground with one's feet, often in darkness or when unsure of footing.
暗闇の中、彼は探り足でゆっくり進んだ。
In the darkness, he slowly advanced, feeling his way with his feet.
探り足で階段を下りるのは怖かった。
It was scary to go down the stairs by groping with my feet.
手探り means groping with one's hands, while 探り足 specifically refers to using one's feet.
Compound of 探り (さぐり, 'searching, groping') + 足 (あし, 'foot').