godan verb (-ru), intransitive verb
Used for romantic pursuit, often with a nuance of approaching someone with words of affection. The 'approach defiantly' gloss is a rare, context-dependent extension.
彼は彼女に言い寄ったが、断られた。
He courted her, but she turned him down.
昔の男はよく窓の下で言い寄ったものだ。
In the old days, men would often woo women beneath their windows.