ˈgrabəl verb
( grabbled ; grabbled ; grabbling -b(ə)liŋ ; grabbles )
Etymology: Dutch grabbelen, from Middle Dutch, freq. of grabben to grab — more at grab
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to move the hand (as in searching) in a groping fashion : grope
grabbled about in her bag — Angela Thirkell
b. South : to remove full grown potatoes without disturbing the plant, the soil being replaced to allow other tubers to develop
c. South : to catch fish by hand by groping (as along a riverbank)
2. : to lie or fall prone : sprawl , grovel
transitive verb
1. South : to harvest by grabbling
2. South : to catch (fish) by hand
• grab·bler -b(ə)lə(r) noun -s