Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Engross \En*gross"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Engrossed}; p. pr. &
   vb. n. {Engrossing}.] [F., fr. pref. en- (L. in) + gros
   gross, grosse, n., an engrossed document: cf. OF. engrossir,
   engroissier, to make thick, large, or gross. See {Gross}.]
   1. To make gross, thick, or large; to thicken; to increase in
      bulk or quantity. [Obs.]

            Waves . . . engrossed with mud.       --Spenser.

            Not sleeping, to engross his idle body. --Shak.

   2. To amass. [Obs.]

            To engross up glorious deeds on my behalf. --Shak.

   3. To copy or write in a large hand (en gross, i. e., in
      large); to write a fair copy of in distinct and legible
      characters; as, to engross a deed or like instrument on
      parchment.

            Some period long past, when clerks engrossed their
            stiff and formal chirography on more substantial
            materials.                            --Hawthorne.

            Laws that may be engrossed on a finger nail. --De
                                                  Quincey.

   4. To seize in the gross; to take the whole of; to occupy
      wholly; to absorb; as, the subject engrossed all his
      thoughts.

   5. To purchase either the whole or large quantities of, for
      the purpose of enhancing the price and making a profit;
      hence, to take or assume in undue quantity, proportion, or
      degree; as, to engross commodities in market; to engross
      power.

   {Engrossed bill} (Legislation), one which has been plainly
      engrossed on parchment, with all its amendments,
      preparatory to final action on its passage.

   {Engrossing hand} (Penmanship), a fair, round style of
      writing suitable for engrossing legal documents,
      legislative bills, etc.

   Syn: To absorb; swallow up; imbibe; consume; exhaust; occupy;
        forestall; monopolize. See {Absorb}.

Source : WordNet®

engrossing
     adj : capable of arousing and holding the attention; "a
           fascinating story" [syn: {absorbing}, {fascinating}, {gripping},
            {riveting}]