English
grumble
Grumble may come from Middle French grommeler.
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600grommeleruncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1810grumble
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Earlier history uncertain.
Lineage
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600grommeleruncertain
- Englishearliest quotation 1810grumble
Earliest quotation: 1810, Jack and Jill, York: J. Kendrew: “They sea-saw'd high, They sea-saw'd low, At length they…”
Every English word from Middle French grommeler
Today it means
noun A high thundering, rumbling or growling sound.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Middle French grommeler / grumble