Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Grapple \Grap"ple\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Grappled}; p. pr. & vb.
   n. {Grappling}.] [F. grappiller, OF. graypil the grapple of a
   ship, fr. graper to pluck, prop., to seize, clutch; of German
   origin. See {Grape}.]
   1. To seize; to lay fast hold of; to attack at close
      quarters: as, to grapple an antagonist.

   2. To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join
      indissolubly.

            The gallies were grappled to the Centurion.
                                                  --Hakluyt.

            Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.
                                                  --Shak.