v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Grappled p. pr. & vb. n. Grappling ] [ F. grappiller, OF. graypil the grapple of a ship, fr. graper to pluck, prop., to seize, clutch; of German origin. See Grape. ] 1. To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join indissolubly. [ 1913 Webster ]

The gallies were grappled to the Centurion. Hakluyt. [ 1913 Webster ]

Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To use a grapple; to contend in close fight; to attach one's self as if by a grapple, as in wrestling; to close; to seize one another. [ 1913 Webster ]

To grapple with, to enter into contest with, resolutely and courageously. [ 1913 Webster ]

And in my standard bear the arms of York,
To grapple with the house of Lancaster. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ See Grapple, v. t., and cf. Crapple. ] 1. A seizing or seizure; close hug in contest; the wrestler's hold. Milton. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (a) An instrument, usually with hinged claws, for seizing and holding fast to an object; a grab. (b) (Naut.) A grappling iron. [ 1913 Webster ]

The iron hooks and grapples keen. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

Grapple plant (Bot.), a South African herb (Herpagophytum leptocarpum) having the woody fruits armed with long hooked or barbed thorns by which they adhere to cattle, causing intense annoyance. --
Grapple shot (Life-saving Service), a projectile, to which are attached hinged claws to catch in a ship's rigging or to hold in the ground; -- called also anchor shot. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A grappling; close fight or embrace. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]