grope (grōp)

v., groped, grop·ing, gropes.

v.intr.

1. To reach about uncertainly; feel one's way: groped for the telephone.
2. To search blindly or uncertainly: grope for an answer.

v.tr.

1. To make (one's way) by reaching about uncertainly.
2. Slang. To handle or fondle for sexual pleasure.

n.
The act or an instance of groping.

[Middle English gropen, from Old English grāpian.]

groper grop'er n.
gropingly grop'ing·ly adv.

---

The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

---