noun, noun or participle which takes 'suru'
inquisitive questioning; prying inquiry
A formal, literary term for probing or inquisitive questioning, often with a nuance of seeking out information discreetly. Rare in modern conversation; more likely encountered in written or historical contexts.
彼の探聞によって、秘密が明らかになった。
Through his inquisitive questioning, the secret came to light.
詮索 is more common and means prying or inquisitive searching, often with a negative connotation. 探聞 is rarer and more literary, focusing on discreet inquiry.
Compound of 探 (search, probe) and 聞 (hear, ask). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; it is a Sino-Japanese word likely coined in literary or official contexts.