Meaning

noun a fastener (as a buckle or hook) that is used to hold two things together

noun the act of grasping

verb hold firmly and tightly

originNoun dated ca. 1300 and verb dated ca. 1400; from Middle English claspe (“metal catch or hook used to hold things together”), possible metathesis of clapse, which comes from or related to Old English clyppan (“clasp”) (also see clip (verb)). Related to English enclasp (“embrace, hold tightly in one's arms”). Compare hasp, of very similar meaning but older known provenance.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 3.0