Grumbling
/ˈɡrʌm.blɪŋ/noun
The act of complaining in a low, discontented way.
Did you know?English grumble is a sound-imitative word, and its family includes related forms across Germanic languages that all echo a low, throaty mutter rather than a borrowed “official” root.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*grum- / *grumb-
“A low, rumbling, murmuring sound”
Middle English
English
grumbelen
“To mutter or complain in a low voice”
16th Century
English
grumble
“To complain in a dissatisfied, muttering way”
Modern English
English
grumbling
“Complaining in a low, discontented voice or manner”