v.
- engage in a close fight or struggle without weapons.
-
(grapple with)
struggle to deal with (a problem).
- archaic seize with a grapnel.
n.
- an act of grappling.
- a grapnel.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. grapil, from Provençal, dimin. of grapa ‘hook’, of Gmc origin; rel. to grape.