[gripe] vb griped ; grip.ing [ME, fr. OE gripan; akin to OHG grifan to grasp, Lith griebti] vt (bef. 12c) 1 archaic: seize, grasp
2. a: afflict, distress b: irritate, vex
3: to cause pinching and spasmodic pain in the bowels of ~ vi 1: to experience gripes
2: to complain with grumbling -- grip.er n
[2]gripe n (13c) 1 archaic: clutch, grasp; broadly: control, mastery
2: a pinching spasmodic intestinal pain--usu. used in pl.
3: grievance, complaint