To grapple with or grip something firmly; to engage in close combat or wrestling.
From en- (to cause to be in a state) + grapple (from Old French grapil, meaning 'hook' or 'to seize'). The prefix intensifies the action of grappling.
Medieval warriors and seafarers used this word when ships would lock together in battle—'engrapple' meant the critical moment when enemies became entangled and couldn't escape each other.
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