[gruff] adj [D grof; akin to OHG grob coarse, hruf scurf--more at dandruff] (1706) 1: rough, brusque, or stern in manner, speech, or aspect "a ~ reply"
2: being deep and harsh: hoarse "a ~ voice" syn see bluff -- gruff.ly adv -- gruff.ness n
[2]gruff vt (1706): to utter in a gruff voice or manner