WordNet sense 1 (the site of an archeological exploration):

excavation, archeological site

WordNet sense 2 (an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect):

barb, gibe, jibe, shaft, shot, slam

WordNet sense 3 (work hard):

drudge, grind, labor, moil, toil, travail, labour

WordNet sense 4 (create by digging):

dig out

WordNet sense 5 (remove the inner part or the core of):

excavate, hollow

WordNet sense 6 (turn up, loosen, or remove earth):

delve, turn over, cut into

WordNet sense 7 (poke or thrust abruptly):

jab, poke, prod, stab

WordNet sense 8 (the act of digging):

digging

WordNet sense 9 (get the meaning of something):

apprehend, compass, comprehend, grasp, savvy, grok, get the picture