Overtake, v. t. [imp. Overtook; p. p. Overtaken; p. pr. & vb. n. Overtaking.]
1. To come up with in a course, pursuit, progress, or motion; to catch up with. Follow after the men; and when thou dost overtake them, say . . . Wherefore have ye rewarded evil for good. Gen. xliv. 4. He had him overtaken in his flight. Spenser.
2. To come upon from behind; to discover; to surprise; to capture; to overcome. If a man be overtaken in a fault. Gal. vi. 1 I shall see The winged vengeance overtake such children. Shak.
3. Hence, figuratively, in the past participle (overtaken), drunken. [Obs.] Holland.
Shades of meaning
Fernald has no entry of its own for overtake; he lists it under catch.
He lists it without comment; the entries above explain its neighbors.