I. ˈfist noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English fȳst; akin to Old High German fūst fist, Polish pięść, and probably to Old English fīf five
Date: before 12th century
1. : the hand clenched with the fingers doubled into the palm and the thumb doubled inward across the fingers
2. : the hand closed as in grasping : clutch
3. : index 5
II. transitive verb
Date: 1607
1. : to grip with the fist : handle
2. : to clench into a fist