gribble

See also: Gribble

English

illustration of the gribble (Limnoria lignorum) by Augusta Foote Arnold

Etymology 1

Uncertain. Compare grub, from Proto-Germanic *grub- (“to dig”).

Noun

gribble (plural gribbles)

1. Any of various wood-boring marine crustaceans of the genus Limnoria, especially Limnoria lignorum, which cause damage to underwater wooden structures.

Etymology 2

Possibly related to grumble.

Adjective

gribble (comparative more gribble, superlative most gribble)

1. (Bermuda) Tending to grumble; grumpy, irascible.
   • 1984, Peter A. Smith, Fred M. Barritt, Bermewjan Vurds, Island Press:

     You're always gribble first thing in the morning.

References

• “gribble”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
• “gribble”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.
• “gribble”, in OED Online ⁠, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Oxford University Press, launched 2000.

Anagrams

• glibber