grabble

American  

[grab-uhl] / ˈgræb əl /

verb (used without object)

grabbled, grabbling

1. to feel or search with the hands; grope.

2. to sprawl; scramble.

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grabble British  

/ ˈɡræbəl /

verb

1. (intr) to scratch or feel about with the hands

2. (intr) to fall to the ground; sprawl

3. (tr) to seize rashly

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Other Word Forms

• grabbler noun

Etymology

Origin of grabble

1570–80; grab ¹ + -le; compare Dutch grabbelen

Example Sentences

It’s that we want—and need—the ability to grabble with nuance and ambiguity that are inherent when our bodies and minds fail.

From Slate • Apr. 9, 2018

And every minute their fingers grabble in the purses of nobles.

From My Neighbors Stories of the Welsh People by Evans, Caradoc

"Who gets me, I think, will have to swoop down in an aeroplane, and grabble me all up and fly away with me!"

From Patty's Suitors by Wells, Carolyn

I nebber digs my taters up Wen dey's only right to grabble.

From Negro Folk Rhymes Wise and Otherwise: With a Study by Talley, Thomas Washington

And there's few of the police would like to grabble with them.

From Poets and Dreamers Studies and translations from the Irish by Gregory, Lady