/ gruːm; NAmE / verb , noun
■ verb
1.
[ vn ] to clean or brush an animal :
to groom a horse / dog / cat
The horses are all well fed and groomed.
2.
[ vn ] ( of an animal ) to clean the fur or skin of another animal or itself :
a female ape grooming her mate
3.
groom sb (for / as sth) to prepare or train sb for an important job or position :
[ vn ]
Our junior employees are being groomed for more senior roles.
[ vn to inf ]
The eldest son is being groomed to take over when his father dies.
4.
[ vn ] ( of a person who is sexually attracted to children ) to prepare a child for a meeting, especially using an Internet chat room , with the intention of performing an illegal sexual act
■ noun
1.
a person whose job is to feed and take care of horses, especially by brushing and cleaning them
2.
= bridegroom
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (in the sense boy , later man, male servant ): of unknown origin.