Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(orig. US prison) a search, esp. one carried out by police, also attrib.

1950		Goldin et al. DAUL 225/1: Toss, n. [...] 3. (P) A search of prison cells, shops, recreation rooms, etc., as differentiated from a search of the person.
1972		N.Y. Times 19 Nov. 106: A toss is no funny business, and the risks for a cop are enormous at all times, and for this reason he has mastered some extremely impressive techniques.
1981		J. Ellroy Brown’s Requiem 72: When he closed the bathroom door, I hopped up from my chair and gave the room a quick toss.
2001		D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 192/1: toss v. (of an officer) to conduct a thorough search of an inmate’s cell.
2001		A. Schulman 23rd Precinct 109: ‘I told him to put his hands out where I can see them. I give him a toss’.
2021		J. Ellroy Widespread Panic 117: Connie snored [...] I had time for a top-end toss.
2023		(con. 1962) J. Ellroy Enchanters 257: It’s an oversight. The toss cops shined the knife on.