English
grab hag
From grab + hag.
Proto-Indo-European *gʰrebʰ- ‘to gather, rake, seize’
Proto-Germanic *grabōną ‘to gather, rake’
Proto-West Germanic *grabbōn
Old Saxon gravan
Middle Dutch grabben ‘to grasp, seize’
English grab
Proto-West Germanic *hagatussjā ‘witch’
Old English hægtesse ‘harpy, witch’
Middle English hagge ‘demon, old woman’
English hag
The story
Originally applied to older women who engaged in the practice, but now can be applied to individuals of any age or gender.
Today it means
noun One who takes excessively or takes all that is available, without regard for the needs or considerations of others.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / grab hag