ˈgrü]əl, -u̇]əl also -ü]l, chiefly Brit ](ˌ)il noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English grewel, from Middle French gruel, from Old French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English grūt grout — more at grout
1. : a liquid food made by boiling a cereal (as cornmeal, oatmeal, flour) in water or milk : thin porridge
2. chiefly Britain : punishment , medicine ; sometimes : death
the Labor rank and file took their gruel wonderfully well — Spectator