Grommel

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. A small ring or eyelet, usually of metal or rubber, fitted into a hole to protect or reinforce the edges of the material around it
2. An archaic or variant form of grommet, referring to a metal or rubber ring set into a hole to strengthen it
3. A reinforcing ring or eyelet pressed into a perforation in fabric, sheet metal or similar material to guard its edge

Etymology: "Grommel" belongs to a family of Dutch and Low German words built on "grommelen," meaning to mutter or grumble under one's breath. The "gr-" opening and the "-mel" ending likely imitate a low, indistinct rumble, the sound of a complaint that is never fully spoken aloud. English "grumble" comes from the same Low German and Dutch background, which explains the resemblance. Its forms are closely related, so the two words share an image of speech that is more noise than clear meaning.