as ‧ sail /əˈseɪl/ BrE AmE verb [transitive] formal
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: asaillir , from Latin assilire , from ad- 'to' + salire 'to jump' ]
1 . [usually passive] if you are assailed by unpleasant thoughts or feelings, they worry or upset you:
Carla was suddenly assailed by doubts.
2 . if a strong smell or loud sound assails you, you suddenly experience it:
The smell of rotten meat assailed her nostrils.
3 . to attack someone or something violently
4 . to criticize someone or something severely
assail somebody for something
He was assailed for gross misconduct.