Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Tackling \Tac"kling\, n. (Naut.)
   1. Furniture of the masts and yards of a vessel, as cordage,
      sails, etc.

   2. Instruments of action; as, fishing tackling. --Walton.

   3. The straps and fixures adjusted to an animal, by which he
      draws a carriage, or the like; harness.

Tackle \Tac"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tackled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Tackling}.] [Cf. LG. takeln to equip. See {Tackle}, n.]
   1. To supply with tackle. --Beau. & Fl.

   2. To fasten or attach, as with a tackle; to harness; as, to
      tackle a horse into a coach or wagon. [Colloq.]

   3. To seize; to lay hold of; to grapple; as, a wrestler
      tackles his antagonist; a dog tackles the game.

            The greatest poetess of our day has wasted her time
            and strength in tackling windmills under conditions
            the most fitted to insure her defeat. --Dublin Univ.
                                                  Mag.

Source : WordNet®

tackling
     n : taking the bull by the horns [syn: {braving}, {confronting},
          {coping with}, {grappling}]