The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

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.
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   2. To fasten, as with a grapple; to fix; to join
      indissolubly.
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            The gallies were grappled to the Centurion.
                                                  --Hakluyt.
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            Grapple them to thy soul with hoops of steel.
                                                  --Shak.
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