Grope (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Groped (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Groping.] [OE. gropen, gropien, grapien, AS. grpian to touch, grope, fr. grpan to gripe. See Gripe.]
1.
To feel with or use the hands; to handle.
[Obs.]
2.
To search or attempt to find something in the dark, or, as a blind person, by feeling; to move about hesitatingly, as in darkness or obscurity; to feel one's way, as with the hands, when one can not see.
We grope for the wall like the blind.
Is. lix. 10.
To grope a little longer among the miseries and sensualities ot a worldly life.
Buckminster.
© Webster 1913.
Grope, v. t.
1.
To search out by feeling in the dark; as, we groped our way at midnight.
2.
To examine; to test; to sound.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
Felix gropeth him, thinking to have a bribe.
Genevan Test. (Acts xxiv. ).
© Webster 1913.