Propinar - Asestar

Propinar - Asestar
 

I think both words have identical meaning, but I have never heard asestar in common speech. I found it in a headline from a Spanish newspaper. Is this a very obscure word?

Both verbs are synonymous when they mean to hit or punch someone, and none is obscure. :)

"Propinar un golpe" and "asestar un golpe" have the same meaning.
Probably "asestar" is used in a higher register, but both verbs are frequently used. :)