Grāp'line or Grāp'nel, n.

n. [Also crapnel. Cf. O. Fr. grappil, and N. Fr. grappin, the grapple of a ship, from Prov. Fr. grapper, Eng. grapple, q. v.] (Naut.) A small anchor, fitted with four or five flukes or claws, used to hold boats or small vessels; hence, any instrument designed to grapple or hold.