Hypertext Webster Gateway: "grapnel"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Grapnel \Grap"nel\, n. [OE. grapenel, dim. fr. F. grappin the
grapple of a ship; of German origin. See {Grape}.] (Naut.)
A small anchor, with four or five flukes or claws, used to
hold boats or small vessels; hence, any instrument designed
to grapple or hold; a grappling iron; a grab; -- written also
grapline, and crapnel.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
grapnel
n 1: a tool consisting of several hooks for grasping and holding;
often thrown with a rope [syn: {grapple}, {grappler}, {grappling
hook}, {grappling iron}]
2: a light anchor for small boats [syn: {grapnel anchor}]
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