·vt To mount and pass or enter by means of ladders; to Scale; as, to escalate a wall.
II. Escalade ·vt A furious attack made by troops on a fortified place, in which ladders are used to pass a ditch or mount a rampart.
The forcing a way over a rampart or other defence, properly by means of ladders or other contrivance...
The Sailor's Word-Book