Main Entry:

grope

Pronunciation:

\ˈgrōp\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

groped; grop·ing

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English grāpian; akin to Old English grīpan to seize

Date:

before 12th century

intransitive verb 1 : to feel about blindly or uncertainly in search <grope for the light switch> 2 : to look for something blindly or uncertainly <grope for the right words> 3 : to feel one's way transitive verb 1 : feel up 2 : to find (as one's way) by groping

— grope noun

— grop·er noun