Grutch

Part of speech: verb, noun

Definitions

1. An archaic or dialect verb meaning to begrudge something, or to be reluctant to give it up ; to murmur or grumble in discontent
2. A dated regional verb for resenting the giving of something, or for complaining sourly about a situation ; to voice dissatisfaction in a muttering way
3. Old regional term for envying another person what they possess, or hesitating to hand over something one values ; to mutter sullenly about an unfair state of affairs

Etymology: The verb "grutch" first appears in Middle English as "grucchen" around 1200, borrowed from Old French "grouchier," meaning "to grumble." Its own origin is murky. Scholars suspect a Germanic source, possibly the Frankish "grōtijan," meaning "to accuse, yell at, or make cry," and think the sound may be onomatopoeic, imitating the low, rumbling complaint it describes. The noun followed about two centuries later, around 1400, formed by taking the verb and turning it into a thing: a grumble or a grievance. That noun gave English a small family of relatives, including "grudge," "grouch," and "grouse," which all seem to share the same grumbling sound.