GRIPE

I. verb (~d; griping) Etymology: Middle English, from Old English grīpan; akin to Old High German grīfan to grasp, Lithuanian griebti Date: before 12th century transitive verb seize , grasp , 2. afflict , distress , irritate , vex , to cause pinching and spasmodic pain in the bowels of, intransitive verb to experience ~s, to complain with grumbling, ~r noun II. noun Date: 13th century clutch , grasp , a pinching spasmodic intestinal pain, grievance , complaint