grabble /ˈɡɹæbl̩/verb 11noun 1forms 3 verb11 •To search with one's hands and fingers; to attempt to grasp something.Ile grable for Gudgeons or fish for Flounders in the Rereward of our eminent temporizing Humorists, sharpe Satyrists, or Aenigmaticall Epigramatists. — 1614 •To attempt to grab; to grasp at (something).The flailing mob of forty-fold took turns at throwing, each trying to lasso the sinking beast as it grabbled the air in blind terror in an attempt to keep its forelegs above the surface. — 1989 •(US) To catch fish by reaching into the water with one's hand.“Now watch me,” said Uncle Huse, “and I’ll show you how to grabble fish.” Slowly his hand went down among the fish. “Look,” said he, “I am going to yank out de larges’.” — 1911 •To pick (something or someone) up hastily, roughly or clumsily.[H]e did so stare at the money, that I vows I thought he'd have rin away with it from the counter—so I grabbled it up, and went away. — 1837 •To pull, lift or dig (something) (out of the ground) by searching with one's hands and fingers.[…] Harry went into the potato patch and grabbled us some sweet potatoes […] — 1865 •To touch (someone) with one's hands or fingers, sometimes in a sexual way.When Nelly tho’ he teiz’d her, And Grabbled her and Squeez’d her, Cry’d, stay a little, I vow and swear I could kill ye, Another touch I can bear ye, — 1719 •To utter inarticulate sounds, often quickly and loudly; to say (something) quickly, idly or foolishly.[…] there was instantly a dreadful confusion and uproar in the room, and such a grabbling and laughing; he could not catch the words […] — 1868 •(no longer used) To search in a similar way using an implement.[…] he proposes to spend the Afternoon at the Out-side of the Rock, in viewing the Sea, and looking for Oysters; so takes in his Hand his long Staff to grabble in Holes […] — 1727 •(no longer used) To fish on the grabble.It was just after such a day that I grabbled fifty of the best salmon I ever saw—all fresh run from the sea. — 1840 •(no longer used) To lift (something) out in a similar way using an implement. •(no longer used) To lie prostrate; to sprawl on the ground.[…] they conduct hym to the hygh way that leadeth to the temple of the goddesse Ceres, where after they haue placed hym, they leaue hym grabling in that place, and departe their waye. — 1584 noun1 •(no longer used) A method of fishing using a line with several hooks fastened to it along with a lead weight so that the hooks sit on the bottom.To lay / fish (up)on the grabble formsgrabbled · grabbling · grabbles
