v.
Pronunciation: ' gr ō p
Function: verb
Inflected Form: groped ; grop · ing
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English gr ā pian; akin to Old English gr ī pan to seize
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1 : to feel about blindly or uncertainly in search < grope for the light switch>
2 : to look for something blindly or uncertainly < grope for the right words>
3 : to feel one's way
transitive verb
1 : FEEL UP
2 : to find (as one's way) by groping
– grope noun
– grop · er noun