Sentence:  Great was my amazement to find the unconquerable Mr. Sim thaw immediately on the <WSD>accost</WSD> of this strange gentleman, who hailed him with a ready familiarity, proceeded at once to discuss with him the trade of droving and the prices of cattle, and did not disdain to take a pinch from the inevitable ram's horn. 
Meaning of the word marked with <WSD> tags:  Address; greeting.