/ əˈkɒst; NAmE əˈkɔːst; əˈkɑːst/ verb
[ vn ] ( formal ) to go up to sb and speak to them, especially in a way that is rude or threatening :
She was accosted in the street by a complete stranger.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (originally in the sense lie or go alongside ): from French accoster , from Italian accostare , from Latin ad- to + costa rib, side.