Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(orig. US) to make an inspection, to have a look, to glance at.

1868		S.P. Boyer diary 19 June in Barnes Naval Surgeon (1963) 59: I took a walk up Curio Street ‘to look see’ (as the Japs say).
1939		R. Chandler Big Sleep 48: I’m dropping down to look-see.
1942		(con. 1890s) S. O’Casey Pictures in the Hallway 343: But, looksee, all of ye, we are prepared to fight to the last man, and die on our own doorsteps if need be.
1957		G. Kersh Fowlers End (2001) 214: Carm on, let’s look-see.