Outscouring

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. The practice of sourcing products or services from outside entities instead of relying on internal production methods aims to optimize cost and efficiency
2. The act of obtaining goods or services from external suppliers rather than producing them in-house serves to reduce expenses and enhance overall productivity
3. Sourcing products or services from outside sources, in preference to in-house production, is intended to increase cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency

Etymology: Outscouring is out- joined to scouring, the noun from scour. Out- here is the English prefix meaning outward or beyond, as in outrun, and scouring is the act of rubbing or washing something clean by friction. Scour is likely borrowed into Middle English from Old French or a related Germanic source, where it meant to clean or rub bright. Its core sense has stayed close to scrubbing away dirt, which is what "scour out" means: to clean thoroughly from inside a space or container. The definition supplied with this request, about buying goods or services from outside suppliers, belongs to outsourcing, a different word built on out- and sourcing. Outscouring does not carry that sense.

Synonyms: outsourcing, contracting, delegating, subcontracting, farming out