immerse, plunge - cause to be immersed; "The professor plunged his students into the study of the Italian text"

focus, pore, rivet, center, centre, concentrate - direct one's attention on something; "Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies"

drink in, drink - be fascinated or spell-bound by; pay close attention to; "The mother drinks in every word of her son on the stage"

involve - occupy or engage the interest of; "His story completely involved me during the entire afternoon"

consume - engage fully; "The effort to pass the exam consumed all his energy"

rivet - hold (someone's attention); "The discovery of the skull riveted the paleontologists"

interest - excite the curiosity of; engage the interest of