/grap"nl/ , n.
1. a device consisting essentially of one or more hooks or clamps, for grasping or holding something; grapple; grappling iron.
2. a small anchor with three or more flukes, used for grappling or dragging or for anchoring a small boat, as a skiff. Also called grapeline, graplin, grapline /grap"lin/ .
[ 1325-75; ME grapnel ( l ), dim. of OF grapin, dim. of grape hook, GRAPE ]