GRAPPLED

To seize something and hold it firmly.

To wrestle or tussle.

(with with) To ponder and intensely evaluate a problem.

"to grapple with one's conscience"

To fasten, as with a grapple; (by extension) to fix; to join indissolubly.

To climb (whether by means of a grapple and rope, or by hand, etc).

To use a grapple (for example to attempt to find, hook, and raise a net or cable).