gruff

Meanings

Adjective

• having a rough, surly, and harsh demeanor and nature.
• hoarse-voiced.

Verb

• To speak gruffly.

Origin

• From West Flemish and Dutch grof, from Middle Dutch grof, from Old Dutch *grof, of uncertain formation and relation, yet undoubtedly cognate with Saterland Frisian groaf, West Frisian grof, Low German groff, German grob, Swedish grov.
• Perhaps originating from Proto-West Germanic *gahrob, from Proto-Germanic *gahrubaz, *hrubaz, related to Proto-Germanic *hreubaz or alternatively from Proto-West Germanic *grob, from Proto-Germanic *grubaz.