English

groundling

From ground + -ling.

Formed from ground + -ling

Proto-Indo-European *gʰrem- ‘floor, settlement’

Proto-Germanic *grunduz ‘ground, foundation’

Proto-West Germanic *grundu

Old English grund

Middle English ground

Today it means

noun Any of various plants or animals living on or near the ground, as a benthic fish or bottom feeder, especially

Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.

Etymograph / groundling