Etymology 16th century, from Dutch grof and/or Middle Low German grof (both “rough, coarse, rude”), from Old Dutch *grof or Old Saxon *grof, both from Proto-West Germanic *grob, from Proto-Germanic *grubaz (“coarse, rough”), possibly from an earlier *gahrubaz and then related with *hreubaz (“scabby, rough, scrubby”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian groaf (“rough, coarse, crude”), West Frisian grof (“rough, coarse, crude”), Low German groff (“rough, coarse, crude”), German grob (“rough, coarse, crude”), Swedish grov (“rough, coarse, crude”).
1
having a rough, surly, and harsh demeanor and nature.
Etymology 16th century, from Dutch grof and/or Middle Low German grof (both “rough, coarse, rude”), from Old Dutch *grof or Old Saxon *grof, both from Proto-West Germanic *grob, from Proto-Germanic *grubaz (“coarse, rough”), possibly from an earlier *gahrubaz and then related with *hreubaz (“scabby, rough, scrubby”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian groaf (“rough, coarse, crude”), West Frisian grof (“rough, coarse, crude”), Low German groff (“rough, coarse, crude”), German grob (“rough, coarse, crude”), Swedish grov (“rough, coarse, crude”).
1
To speak gruffly.
“Who gave you that?” replied my father angrily. “Did you bribe someone?” “No,” I told him. “It was a gift, from some people who really want me to be on this trip.” “Fine,” he gruffed.2001, Benny Hinn, He Touched Me: An Autobiography:
gruff
adj
Etymology Perhaps related to Dutch grof (“rough, coarse”).
[…] articles that usually compose the gruff cargoes of our outward bound shipping.1765, John Zephaniah Holwell, Interesting Historical Events..., page 194:
[…] which by causing a great export of rice enhances the price of labour, and consequently of all other gruff, piece-goods and raw silk […]quoted in 1869, James Long, Selections from Unpublished Records of Government... (page 171)