c.1200, grucchen, "to murmur, complain," from Old French grouchier "to murmur, to grumble," of unknown origin, probably ultimately imitative. Meaning "to begrudge" is c.1400. Compare gruccild (early 13c.) "woman who complains," from grutch + suffix of unknown origin. Related: Grutched; grutching. As a noun from c.1400.