a device with a multiple hook at one end and attached to a rope, which is thrown or hooked over a firm mooring to secure an object attached to the other end of the rope
2.
a light anchor for small boats
Word origin
C14: from Old French grapin a little hook, from grape a hook; see grape
grapnel in American English
(ˈgræpnəl)
noun
a small anchor with usually four or five curved, pointed arms, used for anchoring a small boat, dragging the bottom for objects, or grasping and holding fast to something
Word origin
ME grapnell, dim. < OFr grapin, grapil < Prov < grapa, a hook < Frank *krappo: see grape