Emily Dickinson Lexicon

GRAP'PLE, v.t. [Goth. greipan, to gripe; Ger. greifen; D. grypen; Dan. griber; Sw. grabba, gripa; It. grappare; W. crapeaw. See Grape and Gripe.]

1. To seize; to lay fast hold on, either with the hands or with hooks. We say, a man grapples his antagonist, or a ship grapples another ship.
2. To fasten; to fix, as the mind or heart. [Not in use.] Shak.