v. & n.
v. 1 intr. (often foll. by with) fight at close quarters or in close combat. 2 intr. (foll. by with) try to manage or overcome a difficult problem etc. 3 tr. a grip with the hands; come to close quarters with. b seize with or as with a grapnel; grasp.
n. 1 a a hold or grip in or as in wrestling. b a contest at close quarters. 2 a clutching-instrument; a grapnel. grappling-iron (or -hook) = GRAPNEL. grappler n.
[ OF grapil (n.) f. Prov., dimin. of grapa hook (as GRAPNEL) ]