Searched for soup first, in tins (7)
I believe the answer is:
scanned
'searched' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both related to thinking as well as being past participle verbs.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?
I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scanned that I've seen before include "given thorough examination" , "Thoroughly examined" , "Glanced over" , "examined closely" .)