assail [əˈseɪl], by way of Anglo-French, from the Latin verb assilire ("to leap upon"), which in turn comes from the Latin verb salire, meaning "to leap."

verb
1) = assault
2) "to oppose, challenge, or criticize harshly and forcefully," as in "citizens assailing the proposed changes."
3) "to trouble or afflict in a way that threatens to overwhelm," as in "assailed by fears."
4) apply to powerful perceptions: a smell that assails you
5) Occasionally, mean "to encounter, undertake, or confront energetically," as in "with a deadline fast approaching, we assailed the project with renewed vigor."

English