The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:

Appulse \Ap"pulse\ (?; 277), n. [L. appulsus, fr. appellere,
   appulsum, to drive to; ad + pellere to drive: cf. F.
   appulse.]
   1. A driving or running towards; approach; impulse; also, the
      act of striking against.
      [1913 Webster]

            In all consonants there is an appulse of the organs.
                                                  --Holder.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. (Astron.) The near approach of one heavenly body to
      another, or to the meridian; a coming into conjunction;
      as, the appulse of the moon to a star, or of a star to the
      meridian.
      [1913 Webster]