English
grope
Grope comes from Old English grāpian ‘to grope’.
- Old Englishc. 450–1150grāpian‘to grope’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500gropien
- Englishearliest quotation 1557grope
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Englishc. 450–1150grāpian‘to grope’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500gropien
- Englishearliest quotation 1557grope
Earliest quotation: 1557, Geneva Bible: “Felix gropeth him, thinking to have a bribe.”
Every English word from Old English grāpian
Today it means
verb To feel with or use the hands; to handle.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old English grāpian / grope