Onset

Part of speech: noun (n.)

1. A rushing or setting upon; an attack; an assault; a storming; especially, the assault of an army. Milton. The onset and retire Of both your armies. Shak. Who on that day the word of onset gave. Wordsworth.

2. A setting about; a beginning. [Obs.] Shak. There is surely no greater wisdom than well to time the beginnings and onsets of things. Bacon.

3. Anything set on, or added, as an ornament or as a useful appendage. [Obs.] Johnson.

Part of speech: verb (v.)

1. To assault; to set upon. [Obs.]

2. To set about; to begin. [Obs.] Carew.