from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Tackle \Tac"kle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Tackled}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Tackling}.] [Cf. LG. takeln to equip. See {Tackle}, n.]
1. To supply with tackle. --Beau. & Fl.
[1913 Webster]
2. To fasten or attach, as with a tackle; to harness; as, to
tackle a horse into a coach or wagon. [Colloq.]
[1913 Webster]
3. To seize; to lay hold of; to grapple; as, a wrestler
tackles his antagonist; a dog tackles the game.
[1913 Webster]
The greatest poetess of our day has wasted her time
and strength in tackling windmills under conditions
the most fitted to insure her defeat. --Dublin Univ.
Mag.
[1913 Webster]
4. (Football) To cause the ball carrier to fall to the
ground, thus ending the forward motion of the ball and the
play.
[PJC]
5. To begin to deal with; as, to tackle the problem.
[PJC]